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Updates on Orange Beach Road Projects
City of Orange Beach • Sep 12, 2020
Following are road and path updates for the City of Orange Beach, as of Friday, September 11, 2020:
(OBA®) - Orange Beach, AL - Canal Road Widening: The Alabama Department of Transportation began construction efforts to widen Canal Road (State Highway 180), between William Silvers Parkway and State Highway 161 in September 2019.
After a delay in getting utilities moved this summer, work resumed in earnest in September to widen the remaining south side of the roadway. In the upcoming weeks, motorists should expect single lane closures on the eastbound side. Remember to slow down and help keep the workers safe. Orange Beach police will continue to have a presence to enforce the 40mph work zone.
When complete, this portion of roadway, which carried a daily average of over 18,000 vehicles in 2018, will be a five-lane highway including a designated center turn lane and six-foot shoulders.
The project is anticipated to be complete in spring 2021.
East Canal Road: Canal Road, east of Hwy. 161, will undergo widening from 161 to Wilson Boulevard. A traffic circle will also be added just east of the Adult/Senior Activity Center and public library complex.
Additionally, a 10-foot multimodal path will replace the current sidewalks along East Canal Road as part of the project.
The project’s cost will be partially covered by post-BP oil spill RESTORE Act State Implementation Plan funding.
The project is expected to start in late fall, with construction expected to take a year.
Multimodal Path on Canal Road near Cypress Village: Plans are being developed for an extension of Commercial Drive and a 10-foot multimodal path on the north side of Canal Road between William Silvers Parkway and Wharf Parkway East, in front of Cypress Village. Review and approval by the Alabama Department of Transportation will be required.
In addition to the new path, a deceleration lane to facilitate a right turn into Cypress Village is currently in the design phase.
Construction could begin in summer of 2021.
Other improvements: Also in the works are improvements around The Commons shopping center, where Cactus Cantina, McDonald’s and many other businesses are located. The improvement costs will be covered, jointly, by businesses and the city. A deceleration lane will be added off Canal Road and the entrance will be widened to three lanes to allow for better vehicle movement. Access improvements along 161 are also being studied. Additionally, a right turn lane will be added on Lauder Lane to improve traffic flow onto Canal Road. Both projects are expected to begin in the next two to three months, depending on the approval from the Alabama Department of Transportation.
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Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – The Gulf Shores High School Boys Soccer Team won the State Championship and it is time to celebrate. Superintendent Matt Akin announced to the City Council that the celebration would take place on Wednesday the 15th at LuLu's in Gulf Shores. The festivities will begin at 6 PM.
Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – Brookman's Smokehouse To Go, a popular local eatery known for its smoked fish dishes, has announced a rebranding initiative. The restaurant will now operate under the name "FIRE SMOKED FISH COMPANY" to better represent its core offerings and facilitate future growth.
Perdido Key, Fla. – (OBA) – The Gulfarium CARE Center will be releasing several rehabilitated sea turtles back into the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, May 15th, at Perdido Key Public Beach Access #4. The event will begin at 11am and is expected to last about 10–15 minutes, weather permitting. In the case of inclement weather, such as storms or lightning, the release will be rescheduled.
The Orange Beach High School softball team had a scare involving one of its star players during state tournament play in Oxford on May 13. A bad hop caught shortstop Daigle Wilson in the face and broke her nose and is causing swelling.
Wilson was on the field for about 30–45 minutes and was loaded on a board as a precaution since she suffered a head injury.
Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – Foley’s newest fire truck is now in service to meet the growing demand for services in the city.
The Foley Fire Department dedicated the new pumper Wednesday, May 8, with a ceremony at the city’s main fire station.
The Foley Planning Commission will meet in a regular session on May 15 in council chambers at city hall. During the meeting, the commission will discuss:
A request to extend the plan of the Knoll Subdivision located in the planning jurisdiction at the northwest corner of County Road 16 and County Road 65. The parcel is 38.87 acres and is currently vacant and zoned rural residential. Staff will recommend approval of the request.
The Orange Beach Billfish Classic, originally slated to begin this weekend, has been rescheduled due to an unfavorable weather forecast. The annual fishing tournament will now see boats departing on Monday, May 20th at noon, with activities concluding on Wednesday, May 22nd.
The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will take to the skies over Pensacola, Florida, for a spectacular airshow this November. The Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola announced this morning that both elite flight demonstration teams will be performing during the 2024 Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow on November 1 and 2.
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – May marks the beginning of the busy season on the Alabama Gulf Coast, with Summer fast approaching. The region offers a mix of relaxing activities plus once-in-a-lifetime experiences like the Hangout Music Festival, bird's-eye view helicopter skydiving tours, live music, good ole southern coastal cuisine, and historical pastimes. To help you get started, we've selected a few top picks for this week, including the much anticipated Orange Beach Billfish Classic at the Wharf.
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Residents and visitors of Orange Beach can elevate their physical fitness by attending evening fitness classes at the Adult Fitness Center, located at 4847 Wilson Blvd. Classes are designed to cater to various interests and fitness levels, ensuring there's something for everyone.
