Gulf Shores, Ala. – Mayor Robert Craft said at a recent council meeting the city would soon be drafting a letter laying out its case for the Alabama Department of Transportation to move forward with plans to build a new bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway. The council is meeting today, Aug. 22, in an executive session to discuss the city’s response.

“I know we’ve been talking about bridges and traffic and all those types of things,” Craft said on Aug. 15. “We’re working hard to try to understand exactly what ALDOT and the bridge company are proposing.”

City leaders have been kept informed on the negotiations and have heard hints that talks between ALDOT and the Baldwin County Bridge Company could be nearing a conclusion. BCBC has to convince ALDOT it can woo 40 percent of the traffic from the Holmes Bridge in Gulf Shores by adding another two-lane span and ALDOT backing away from plans for a new bridge. The latest deadline for a settlement is set at Sept. 5.

“We don’t have that in front of us to react to,” Craft said. “We’re kind of negotiating with a ghost right now and we really don’t know what their final plan is. We believe that is forthcoming soon. We’ve had conversations that imply we should get something to understand this week and when we get that we will prepare some opportunities to discuss it.”

In the meantime, Craft and other city officials have been working on a direct appeal to Gov. Kay Ivey’s office in the form of a letter.

“But right now, to make statements and comments about something we don’t really understand would be ill-advised,” Craft said. “We’re not ready to go forward yet but we will be soon. We promise you that as soon as we know what the facts are, we’re going to present them with our thoughts to join with yours and make comments as you see fit.”

Craft pledged the letter from the city would go out as soon as officials learn more about what ALDOT and BCBC have settled on for the second toll span.

“I had hoped it would be but we’re not ready and it’s wise for us to pause a little bit longer and hopefully have something sooner rather than later,” Craft said. “But we’re going to have input into this before it’s finalized, I can promise you that. Rather than holding a town hall, and having a discussion, I felt like it was better to just put it in writing. To do that, I need all five councilmen with input, and we come up with a statement.”

ALDOT Chief of Communications Tony Harris didn’t offer any details into the negotiations other than they are ongoing.

“Discussions remain ongoing to determine whether the bridge company can offer an alternative that may relieve congestion on Highway 59,” Harris said.

Among the proposals the bridge company has laid on the table include $10 million upfront for the city of Orange Beach and $1 million a year for 50 years thereafter, $25 million to ALDOT to help with construction of the spur road from the Foley Beach Express to Cotton Creek Drive in Gulf Shores and after 50 years BCBC would give the toll bridges to the state.