Current:Home > MyAlabama plans to eliminate tolls en route to the beach-InfoLens
Alabama plans to eliminate tolls en route to the beach
View Date:2024-12-23 14:59:04
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama plans to buy the Foley Beach Express Bridge and eliminate tolls to drive across it, state and local officials announced Thursday.
Gov. Kay Ivey and the mayors of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach announced an agreement for the Alabama Department of Transportation to purchase the bridge from the Baldwin County Bridge Company for $57 million. The thoroughfare is a private toll bridge that provides an alternate route to state beaches.
Ivey’s office said in a press release that the bridge will become toll free as soon as the deal closes.
“Alabama’s Gulf Coast continues to experience record growth and success, and I am proud we are making needed infrastructure improvements in the area that will help alleviate traffic congestion for Alabamians and those visiting our beaches,” Ivey said.
The sale is expected to close in May and toll collection will end at noon on the closing date. The exact day has not yet been scheduled.
Alabama is also building another bridge across the Intracoastal Waterway to help ease congestion. When that span is completed in 2026, each bridge will be converted to one-way crossing. The Beach Express Bridge will carry traffic north away from the beach and the new Intracoastal Waterway bridge will carry vehicles south.
The Baldwin County Bridge Company has sued the state over constructing the new bridge, accusing the state transportation director of acting in bad faith during toll negotiations and then pursuing the new bridge project to financially damage the company.
A judge last year blocked construction of the new bridge, but the Alabama Supreme Court reversed that decision.
veryGood! (626)
Related
- Rita Ora Says Liam Payne “Left Such a Mark on This World” in Emotional Tribute
- Blinken meets Jordan’s king and foreign minister on Mideast push to keep Gaza war from spreading
- Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Are the Ultimate BFF Duo at the 2024 Golden Globes
- Who's hosting the 2024 Golden Globes? All about comedian Jo Koy
- Tuskegee University closes its campus to the public, fires security chief after shooting
- WWII heroics of 'Bazooka Charlie' doubted until daughter sets record straight
- Hailee Steinfeld Addresses Josh Allen Engagement Speculation at 2024 Golden Globes
- Golden State's Draymond Green back on the practice floor with Warriors after suspension
- The White Stripes drop lawsuit against Donald Trump over 'Seven Nation Army' use
- What to know about the Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 jet that suffered a blowout
Ranking
- USMNT Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal Leg 1 vs. Jamaica: Live stream and TV, rosters
- Golden Globes winners 2024: Follow the list in live time
- North Korea’s Kim turns 40. But there are no public celebrations of his birthday
- Will Changes to Medicare Coverage Improve the Mental Health Gap?
- Father sought in Amber Alert killed by officer, daughter unharmed after police chase in Ohio
- Golden Globes winners 2024: Follow the list in live time
- California law banning guns in most public places again halted by appeals court
- Former Gambian interior minister on trial in Switzerland over alleged crimes against humanity
Recommendation
-
Gerry Faust, former Notre Dame football coach, dies at 89
-
Jaguars' breakdown against Titans completes a stunning late-season collapse
-
Full transcript of Face the Nation, Jan. 7, 2024
-
Golden Globes 2024 live: Robert Downey Jr., Da'Vine Joy Randolph win supporting awards
-
Reds honor Pete Rose with a 14-hour visitation at Great American Ball Park
-
Taylor Swift Attends Golden Globes Over Travis Kelce’s NFL Game
-
You Missed This Mamma Mia Reunion & More Casts at the Golden Globes
-
Ariana Grande teases fans with new music release this Friday