The State of Alabama is expected to acquire the Beach Express by the end of the month. Governor Kay Ivey stated in a press release "The sale is expected to close in May, with the collection of tolls to cease at noon on the date of the closing." So now the community governments along the expressway route are preparing for the change.

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. ALDOT’s construction of the Intracoastal Waterway Bridge will continue, with completion expected in Spring or early Summer 2026. 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 entire route from Interstate 10 will become a state highway to be named State Route 161.

ORANGE BEACH - The city is preparing for the loss of toll revenue and the increased traffic from the free bridge route.  The city collected a total of $19.1 million through 2023 and subtracting the original $12 million, the city has netted about $7.1 million in revenue from the toll bridge. In the first two months of 2024, the city has collected $209,699.

GULF SHORES - Projected to start in 2026, the new ICW Bridge being built should be completed and will carry southbound traffic onto the island. ALDOT is working with Gulf Shores for changes in the bridge's landing area on the south side. The City of Gulf Shores is already building new roads in the area and upgrading others.  SEE RELATED ARTICLE

FOLEY - The city has already been preparing numerous roads for more traffic flow from the Expressway. They have made several changes to roads that intersect with County Road 20, by OWA. Others road updates in Foley have been announced and new traffic light have recently been added along some intersections. As part of the agreement for the Alabama Department of Transportation to buy the Foley Beach Express toll bridge, Foley is turning over maintenance of its portion to the state.

Since the expressway and toll bridge were built, Foley was responsible for maintaining the roadway from its beginning at State Route 59 to its intersection with County Road 12. As part of the purchase agreement, this portion will be taken over for maintenance by the state as part of an extended State Route 161.

The next 30 days will be hectic for local engineers and city planners. The expected traffic increase along the expressway may not be fully realized until the end of the summer season.