Alabama has bought the Foley Beach Express Bridge — here’s what that means for drivers

UPDATE (5 p.m.): The Foley Beach Express Bridge is undergoing major changes. Locals are looking forward to the end of tolls, and officials hope the changes will solve traffic flow concerns.

WKRG News 5’s Debbie Williams reported live from Foley and spoke with locals and officials in the city.

Locals say they are looking forward to the end of tolls on the bridge — known as the fastest way to Orange Beach — which Gov. Kay Ivey said would happen once the transfer of ownership to the state takes place in May, according to a press release.

Some travelers reported going around the bridge so they did not have to pay the toll; while others said the end of tolls may be the reason they visit Orange Beach more.

“I don’t come to Orange Beach as much, but to be honest, I will come more if it’s free,” one person said.

Along with the end of tolls is the end of southbound traffic on the current Foley Beach Express.

News 5 has learned that a new bridge constructed over the Intracoastal Waterway is set to take over the southbound traffic, meaning that the Foley Beach Express will handle only the northbound traffic.

Officials say this new change could address traffic flow concerns, which Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon said is “good for everybody, good for citizens, businesses, and visitors” but costly for Orange Beach.

“Financially, we gave up about 50 million dollars. We’ve always been willing to give that money up if the toll went away and if we had a way to move traffic in a more efficient way, and I think we will with the other bridge,” said Mayor Kennon.

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FOLEY, Ala. (WKRG) — The state has purchased the Foley Beach Express Bridge in Orange Beach.

Gov. Kay Ivey, Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon, and the Baldwin County Bridge Company made the announcement of the purchase after the agreement was signed on Wednesday, according to a press release.

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The announcement comes after portions of Baldwin Beach Express, the Foley Beach Express, Roscoe Road, and County Road 4 were transferred to ALDOT.

With this announcement, the entire Foley Beach Express is set to be fully managed by ALDOT, according to the release.

“When the transaction is finalized, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) will operate the Beach Express Bridge toll-free, initially carrying southbound and northbound traffic,” the release states.

“Upon completion, the Beach Express Bridge will be converted to carry northbound traffic and the new ALDOT bridge will carry southbound traffic – creating ‘one-way pairs,’ parallel paired bridges to move traffic more efficiently to and from Alabama’s beaches.”

The release stated that the bridge is set to become toll-free immediately upon the ownership change, something officials say will benefit Alabamians and visitors.

Officials say they expect the sale to close in May “with the collection of tolls to cease at noon the day of the closing.”

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The agreement states that ALDOT will pay $57 million to Baldwin County Bridge Company for the bridge and $3 million to the city of Orange Beach for local road improvements.

“This agreement is the result of collaborative efforts between ALDOT, the City of Orange Beach and the Baldwin County Bridge Company and was made possible by the city’s willingness to forego annual financial benefits in order to achieve improved traffic flow for Orange Beach and Gulf Shores citizens and visitors,” said Mayor Kennon.

“On behalf of the Orange Beach City Council, I would like to thank Governor Ivey for working with us to eliminate tolls and improve traffic flow and efficiency to and from our Alabama beaches.”

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