Baldwin Co. closer to I-65 connection to Beach Express

Baldwin Co. closer to I-65 connection to Beach Express

The Baldwin County Commission recently approved a $3.2 million engineering services agreement with Volkert, Inc. to facilitate design upgrades for the Baldwin Beach Express II road project that will directly connect The Beach Express with I-65. Volkert’s contract will cover the 4.9-mile section of the corridor north of Hwy. 31. The timeline to complete the design work and acquire the right-of-way is two years.
The contract is for updated bridge designs, environmental permitting and coordination; updated interchange designs at Hwy. 31 and I-65; a new diamond style interchange at Novelis; and expanding the roadway to six-lanes from the Novelis Interchange to I-65. Planned grade-separated interchange also include Truck Trail 17, County Rd. 112 and Hwy, 31
When complete, the Express will provide continuous traffic flow from I-65 to Pleasure Island and support continued economic growth across Baldwin County.
“This is very important for planning and growth in Baldwin County as we continue to grow while preserving the character of the roadway,’’ said Baldwin County Engineer, Frank Lundy.
Total cost for the final phase of the 25-mile, multi-lane divided highway connecting the two interstates is $638 million.
It will be funded through the tax‑increment financing district created for the $2.5 billion Novelis manufacturing plant on 3,000 acres north of Bay Minette that will allow some of the future property taxes generated in the district to be earmarked for infrastructure upgrades in that district.
The Novelis plant is expected to be in operation this December, bringing 1,000 jobs to the county. The low‑carbon, fully integrated aluminum recycling and rolling plant is one of the largest manufacturing investments in Alabama history and broke ground in October of 2022.
“The investment they have made in our community is life changing,” said Baldwin County Commission Chairman Jeb Ball. “It will change the face we have here forever.”
Baldwin County incentives to bring the plant here include $49.4 million for the 10-year non-educational property tax abatement, $47.7 million in sales tax and $26 million for site improvements.