The City of Foley is moving forward with plans to develop a new north–south roadway that will improve connectivity between U.S. 98 and Gulf Shores.
The Foley City Council approved a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wetland delineation proposal, a key step in continuing roadway planning for the extension of James Road south from Brinks Willis Road to Gulf Shores.
Mayor Ralph Hellmich said Foley is working in partnership with Baldwin County and the City of Gulf Shores to coordinate the project.
“Gulf Shores did about a mile, the county is doing a mile, and we’re doing roughly a mile,” Hellmich said. “We’re working very closely with the county and Gulf Shores to align the road in a way that minimizes impacts to wetlands and nearby properties.”
City officials are also working to preserve natural features along the route, including mature trees.
“We adjusted the alignment to save a row of oak trees,” Hellmich said. “We’re doing everything we can to make this project as least intrusive as possible.”
When completed, the project will provide a continuous route from U.S. 98 to Gateway Road (County Road 8), improving traffic flow between Foley and Gulf Shores.
Hellmich said Foley is also planning future extensions north of the project area.
“Ultimately, when North Pecan opens, drivers will be able to connect from Gateway Road all the way to the Baldwin Beach Express,” he said. “This will not be a high-speed road, but it will provide another option for local drivers and help reduce congestion on Alabama 59 and the Beach Express.”
The project will extend James Road south from Brinks Willis Road, cross Keller Road, and connect in Gulf Shores to a new roadway planned near the Rocky Road Loop.
The James Road extension is part of Baldwin County’s “30-Cubed” program, which allocates $30 million for joint transportation projects with municipalities by 2030. Participating cities and towns provide matching funds to advance shared infrastructure improvements.