The Orange Beach City Council were informed by Ford Handley, City Administrator, the southbound traffic on the Expressway would be detoured for three (3) days. The southbound traffic during that time will enter the island via the Hwy. 59 bridge in Gulf Shores. The outbound traffic going north will still flow on the Beach Express. The expected dates of the detour are May 10-12 and the dates will be confirmed at the Town Hall meeting.

Southbound traffic will be redirected through Gulf Shores while work proceeds near the south side of the bridge at Canal Road. Officials said drivers coming from the north will be rerouted away from Orange Beach, north of County Road 8 through Gulf Shores as much as possible, and signs at Interstate 10 will help guide traffic before vehicles reach the beach route. Currently, the detour is planned for Mother’s Day, May 10th, and the following Monday, May 11th & Tuesday 12th. The city will provide maps and updates before the detour is put into place. According to ALDOT, everything will be completed by Memorial Day Weekend.

During the meeting with the City Council, Ford Handley emphasized that the projected opening date of the new ICW Bridge is still forecasted to be before Memorial Day.

Council members indicated that no significant long-term road closures are anticipated beyond the 3-day detour period. Officials reported that two smaller concrete bridges north of County Road 4 have been completed, and work is ongoing to grade the median near the bridge approach. Officials also mentioned that one lane would remain open to maintain continuous northbound traffic during part of the construction.

The bridge project has been watched closely by drivers, businesses, and event venues. In a report published April 1, ALDOT spokesperson James Gordon told FOX10 News that the state aims to open the new bridge on or before Memorial Day weekend. The report said the bridge itself is nearly complete, with work remaining on striping, guardrails, paving, and the connector road to State Route 161.

The bridge and roadway work are part of a larger effort to improve traffic flow in Orange Beach/Gulf Shores and nearby areas. At Tuesday night’s meeting, Orange Beach officials said updates on the detour would be posted on social media once the final schedule is set.

For residents, workers, and visitors, the main concern is simple: how to pass through the area with less delay. The council said the short-term disruption is meant to support a longer-term traffic solution at the busiest gateways into Orange Beach. If the schedule holds, drivers should see the final transition take shape before the summer rush begins.