ALDOT puts Waterways Bridge project on hold while negotiations with BCBC continue
ALDOT puts Waterways Bridge project on hold while negotiations with BCBC continue
Proposal states toll bridge will handle 2,400 cars an hour compared to 1,000 cars per hour on new state bridge
By John Mullen
Once again the bid letting for a new bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway in Gulf Shores has been removed from the Department of Transportation’s bid list that was released on Dec. 3. It was on the list on the afternoon of Dec. 2, but as of the morning of Dec. 3 it was no longer on the list.
ALDOT has been working with the Baldwin County Bridge Company for years to negotiate a second two-lane span at the toll bridge at The Wharf and on July 31 removed it from the bid letting list to negotiate for 90 more days at the request of Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon. That 90-day period ended on Oct. 30.
“We acknowledge the positive and earnest nature of the discussions between the new owners of the bridge company, local officials and ALDOT,” Spokesman Tony Harris said. “We are evaluating the bridge company’s proposal and discussing the potential ramifications of some of its details. In order to give fair and thorough consideration to all approaches, ALDOT will delay taking bids on the Waterways Intercoastal Bridge project. ALDOT can and will schedule the project for a bid in 2022 if no agreement is reached that provides a serious and meaningful reduction in congestion on Highway 59.” (The entire BCBC proposal is at the bottom of this story.)
Among the things BCBC pledged to do in its presentation include $5 monthly toll for Orange Beach and Gulf Shores residents and $10 monthly toll for Baldwin residents.
BCBC also pledged financial compensation to the city of Orange Beach to the tune of $10 million upfront for infrastructure improvements and $1 million a year for the city to use “at its discretion.”
The company is offering the state $25 million to put toward a new spur road that would go from the Beach Express south of Coastal Gateway Boulevard to East Waterway Boulevard the same route that would have been a run-up to the bridge. Also offered to the state was 25 percent of revenues collected above $13 million. The 25 percent would not include island and county resident discounted passes. After 50 years, ownership of the bridge would divert to the state.
A pledge was also made to bring in electronic “smart” tolling to help keep cars moving. All of this is contingent upon BCBC building the new span or expanding the existing one and the state not building its bridge.
In the bridge company’s presentation, it was projected that the new lanes would give the bridge to ability to handle 2,400 cars an hour compared to the state bridge which it projects could only handle 1,000 an hour. BCBC also said if the “Desired Performance Standard” for traffic flow measured during peak summer month was not achieved in four years during any consecutive seven-year period, ALDOT re-earns the right to build the bridge over the waterway closer to Gulf Shores.
When the bridge was first built, the city agreed to give the struggling bridge company $1.2 million a year for 10 years – 2004 through 2013. During that time, the city was paid 10 cents per car if the number of cars was less than two million, 21 cents if traffic was between two and three million, and 36 cents per car if traffic exceeded three million. Of the $12 million paid out, the city got back about $6 million from the fees.
In 2014, the city began getting 30 cents a car for 20 years with no sliding scale on the number of cars coming through. The city would have an option to buy the bridge at the end of 20 years. The city could also decline to buy the bridge, but continue receiving 30 cents per car for 30 more years.
Pictured: The Baldwin County Bridge Company’s proposal to ALDOT calls for reversible lanes for use during peak seasons and emergencies, express lanes, an expanded bridge & plaza and dedicated lanes for pass holders.