Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley leaders are moving forward with a plan to build a new north-south road connecting Foley and Gulf Shores, providing drivers with an alternative to avoid heavy traffic on Highway 59 and the Beach Express. City officials say the route will follow the James Road corridor and is being designed to minimize impacts on nearby homes, wetlands, and trees. The project is a collaborative effort between the city of Foley, Baldwin County, and the city of Gulf Shores. Local leaders believe the new road will enhance connectivity across the area and offer residents more travel options to and from the beach.
The Foley City Council has approved a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wetland delineation proposal, which is necessary to continue developing plans to extend James Road south from Brinks Willis Road to Gulf Shores. The extension will start at Brinks Willis Road, cross Keller Road, and connect to a new road planned near the Rocky Road Loop in Gulf Shores. This project is part of a long-term regional effort to improve traffic flow in southern Baldwin County.
Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the city is working closely with Baldwin County and Gulf Shores on the route to ensure it fits as smoothly as possible into the surrounding area. “Gulf Shores did a mile. The county’s doing a mile, we’re doing a mile roughly,” Hellmich said. “We’re working very closely with the county and Gulf Shores to align it the best we can, to impact as little as possible on either wetlands or people’s properties.”
Hellmich said the route is also being adjusted to protect trees and other natural features along the way. “We moved it over one time to save a row of oak trees,” he said. “So we’re doing everything we can to make it the least intrusive that we can.”…