Alabama

[Voyager75]

Some of the new albeit inconsistent AL-161 signage in Orange Beach. They haven't updated any of the old AL-180/161 dual terminus signage minus one lonely sign. I took a few crappy pics. Darkness wasn't my friend.

The end of the Beach Express.


Still AL-180 signs at the former dual terminus. The was a new North AL-161 in place of the old JCT-180 which was the only new sign. Took a pic but it was unusable. Maybe they'll just change this one to a TO-180 eventually. There's till a JCT-161 on old East-180 as well.




New North 161 sign, old Beach Express sign remains


Eastbound from AL-180. Only AL-161 North sign added. Still says EAST-180. Haven't changed it to END yet.

Quality is terrible I know:



Nothing updated north of here to US-98. Still just the old Beach Express signs. Foley has said they'll continue to refer it as the Foley Beach Express (I guess for bragging purposes). Wanted to get up to the split up at the AL-59 area for any new updates on the overheads for  AL-308/AL-161 that are on southbound AL-59 but could't make it. Was up at Bucee's last week and saw the plastered (and small) AL-161 signs over the Baldwin Beach Express name on the advance exit signs on I-10 but again that was it. Did see a new AL-307 sign on Roscoe Rd. but couldn't get a pic.

Saw the progress on the traffic circle split for the new south AL-161 connector and they clearly plan to leave the old southbound lanes as they are.  Guess they just leave them as is and just be there as hurricane evacuation lanes if need be. But they'll have to shut the lanes off by Bradford Rd to keep someone from going southbound on the Northbound AL-161 only bridge.

[Voyager75]

Had a few minutes to spare while in Foley today and swung down to check the progress on the AL-161 Southbound connector. Got a pic of the new AL-306/307 shields. Really no change on the connector from a month ago. Lanes have been paved but still a ways to go. Guess they can't do much until the bridge is almost finished.



Here's a AL-307 shield along Roscoe Rd. One of these on both ends but no END singage. Still no AL-161 signs up yet either. Just the old faded Foley Beach Express signs.



Only saw a END AL-306 shield westbound for its 0.25 mile existence. Doest't even go to the AL-161 Southbound connector which is a good 1/2 mile past this. Still CR-4 shields everywhere in the area as well. What's the point of this? Just have AL-307 continue along the route.


UPDATE/EDIT: Was able to get up to the split at the Foley/Baldwin Beach/AL-308 intersection the other night and the only new signage was a AL-308 westbound just past the intersection and END 308 sign at AL-59. Same exact size and style as the others posted above. Zero AL-161 singage anywhere as of now.

Only pic I got of END-308.


UPDATE #2: Drove down AL-161 south from US-90 today. Some AL-161 signage has been sprinkled in northbound on the Baldwin Beach Express portion in place of the old signs. No NORTH directional banners on them much like the AL-306/307/308 signage. Nothing southbound yet. Guess they're working on it.

Did notice this trio of signage has been put on a single assembly within the last year, MS-59 and FBE sign still remain.

Old:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kcCxUJpLJP66RDHQ9

New:

[Great Lakes Roads]

ALDOT is currently replacing the BGS on I-65 at Exit 347 near Athens to include the new AL 304 designation from US 31 to I-65.

[formulanone]

ALDOT is currently replacing the BGS on I-65 at Exit 347 near Athens to include the new AL 304 designation from US 31 to I-65.

Looks like ALDOT finally put 304 on the published milepost maps.

https://aldotgis.dot.state.al.us/MilepostPDF/web/co42mp.pdf

[freebrickproductions]

ALDOT is currently replacing the BGS on I-65 at Exit 347 near Athens to include the new AL 304 designation from US 31 to I-65.

They also replaced this BGS original to the construction of I-565 with a nearly identical fully reflective Clearview version, sadly meaning that the sliver of the original North cardinal for I-565 that used to be seen there is now gone.

[formulanone]

ALDOT is currently replacing the BGS on I-65 at Exit 347 near Athens to include the new AL 304 designation from US 31 to I-65.

They also replaced this BGS original to the construction of I-565 with a nearly identical fully reflective Clearview version, sadly meaning that the sliver of the original North cardinal for I-565 that used to be seen there is now gone.

I think there's a few greened-out cardinal directions on I-565 itself, right around or approaching the Memorial Parkway (US 231/431) exits?

[freebrickproductions]

ALDOT is currently replacing the BGS on I-65 at Exit 347 near Athens to include the new AL 304 designation from US 31 to I-65.

They also replaced this BGS original to the construction of I-565 with a nearly identical fully reflective Clearview version, sadly meaning that the sliver of the original North cardinal for I-565 that used to be seen there is now gone.

I think there's a few greened-out cardinal directions on I-565 itself, right around or approaching the Memorial Parkway (US 231/431) exits?

I believe so, along with some on the intersecting roads at some of the interchanges (mostly Exits 14 through 17). I believe that was the only greened-out cardinal that still had part of it fully visible though.

[Voyager75]

Had a few minutes to spare while in Foley today and swung down to check the progress on the AL-161 Southbound connector. Got a pic of the new AL-306/307 shields. Really no change on the connector from a month ago. Lanes have been paved but still a ways to go. Guess they can't do much until the bridge is almost finished.



Here's a AL-307 shield along Roscoe Rd. One of these on both ends but no END singage. Still no AL-161 signs up yet either. Just the old faded Foley Beach Express signs.



Only saw a END AL-306 shield westbound for its 0.25 mile existence. Doest't even go to the AL-161 Southbound connector which is a good 1/2 mile past this. Still CR-4 shields everywhere in the area as well. What's the point of this? Just have AL-307 continue along the route.


UPDATE/EDIT: Was able to get up to the split at the Foley/Baldwin Beach/AL-308 intersection the other night and the only new signage was a AL-308 westbound just past the intersection and END 308 sign at AL-59. Same exact size and style as the others posted above. Zero AL-161 singage anywhere as of now.

Only pic I got of END-308.


UPDATE #2: Drove down AL-161 south from US-90 today. Some AL-161 signage has been sprinkled in northbound on the Baldwin Beach Express portion in place of the old signs. No NORTH directional banners on them much like the AL-306/307/308 signage. Nothing southbound yet. Guess they're working on it.

Did notice this trio of signage has been put on a single assembly within the last year, MS-59 and FBE sign still remain.

Old:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kcCxUJpLJP66RDHQ9

New:

No pics as it was dark and raining.

END-307 signage has now been installed.

AL-306/END-306 signage has been installed between the ICW boat launch entrance and the former toll bridge. Eastbound AL-306 has been put up across from the westbound END-306 as well.

Still no AL-161 signage on the Foley sections of the Beach Express. Their adamant to keep it known as the FOLEY Beach Express.

The new pedestrian bridge over the ICW near LuLu's is coming along. The towering bridge support on the southside has been erected.

I assume what will be the new alignment for AL-180 west of the new 161 southbound bridge has just started with trees being removed. Getting through the established neighborhood southeast of the now closed 90 degree turn will have to be addressed quickly. Very narrow roads with kids playing and 18 wheelers are going through it.

Google Maps have updated the area with the Southbound connector and construction shown. Also of note is a new road being put in from the connector to the fairly new and successful passenger terminal at Jack Edwards/Gulf Shores International Airport. Getting to it from the west off AL-59 is being improved as well as it was mostly industrial side streets getting into it.


The next step to extend the Beach Express to I-65 with a "access management plan" is currently underway. Looks like it will be more of an expressway with actual interchanges along the route. They don't want it to bring in more real estate for commercial investors. The section of AL-161 between CR-20 at OWA and the new Gulf Shores High School at CR-8 is slowly becoming development galore and will no different than AL-59 in the next 5-10 years.

https://1819news.com/news/item/baldwin-county-updates-plan-for-beach-express-to-i-65-access

[akt85]

Had a few minutes to spare while in Foley today and swung down to check the progress on the AL-161 Southbound connector. Got a pic of the new AL-306/307 shields. Really no change on the connector from a month ago. Lanes have been paved but still a ways to go. Guess they can't do much until the bridge is almost finished.



Here's a AL-307 shield along Roscoe Rd. One of these on both ends but no END singage. Still no AL-161 signs up yet either. Just the old faded Foley Beach Express signs.



Only saw a END AL-306 shield westbound for its 0.25 mile existence. Doest't even go to the AL-161 Southbound connector which is a good 1/2 mile past this. Still CR-4 shields everywhere in the area as well. What's the point of this? Just have AL-307 continue along the route.


UPDATE/EDIT: Was able to get up to the split at the Foley/Baldwin Beach/AL-308 intersection the other night and the only new signage was a AL-308 westbound just past the intersection and END 308 sign at AL-59. Same exact size and style as the others posted above. Zero AL-161 singage anywhere as of now.

Only pic I got of END-308.


UPDATE #2: Drove down AL-161 south from US-90 today. Some AL-161 signage has been sprinkled in northbound on the Baldwin Beach Express portion in place of the old signs. No NORTH directional banners on them much like the AL-306/307/308 signage. Nothing southbound yet. Guess they're working on it.

Did notice this trio of signage has been put on a single assembly within the last year, MS-59 and FBE sign still remain.

Old:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kcCxUJpLJP66RDHQ9

New:

No pics as it was dark and raining.

END-307 signage has now been installed.

AL-306/END-306 signage has been installed between the ICW boat launch entrance and the former toll bridge. Eastbound AL-306 has been put up across from the westbound END-306 as well.

Still no AL-161 signage on the Foley sections of the Beach Express. Their adamant to keep it known as the FOLEY Beach Express.

The new pedestrian bridge over the ICW near LuLu's is coming along. The towering bridge support on the southside has been erected.

I assume what will be the new alignment for AL-180 west of the new 161 southbound bridge has just started with trees being removed. Getting through the established neighborhood southeast of the now closed 90 degree turn will have to be addressed quickly. Very narrow roads with kids playing and 18 wheelers are going through it.

Google Maps have updated the area with the Southbound connector and construction shown. Also of note is a new road being put in from the connector to the fairly new and successful passenger terminal at Jack Edwards/Gulf Shores International Airport. Getting to it from the west off AL-59 is being improved as well as it was mostly industrial side streets getting into it.


The next step to extend the Beach Express to I-65 with a "access management plan" is currently underway. Looks like it will be more of an expressway with actual interchanges along the route. They don't want it to bring in more real estate for commercial investors. The section of AL-161 between CR-20 at OWA and the new Gulf Shores High School at CR-8 is slowly becoming development galore and will no different than AL-59 in the next 5-10 years.

https://1819news.com/news/item/baldwin-county-updates-plan-for-beach-express-to-i-65-access

Do you know if there are plans to make AL 59 at I-65 a four-lane bridge or has that interchange been redone since I was last there in 2014?

[Voyager75]

Do you know if there are plans to make AL 59 at I-65 a four-lane bridge or has that interchange been redone since I was last there in 2014?

AL-59 or AL-287?

If you meant the 4 lane AL-287 and I assume you did, no I haven't seen any plans. They have added a traffic signal on the north side for southbound traffic and have 2-laned the northbound ramp to merge onto I-65 north within the past 5 years.

AL-59 north of Bay Minette is still undeveloped.

But I'm not sure why ALDOT hasn't swapped the AL-59/AL-287 alignments there so AL-59 could be one continuous 4-lane all the way down from I-65. Have AL-287 end at AL-225 in Stockton and have 225 take over the rural Al-59 section up to Uriah. But that's fictional territory I know.

[jdb1234]

Do you know if there are plans to make AL 59 at I-65 a four-lane bridge or has that interchange been redone since I was last there in 2014?

AL-59 or AL-287?

If you meant the 4 lane AL-287 and I assume you did, no I haven't seen any plans. They have added a traffic signal on the north side for southbound traffic and have 2-laned the northbound ramp to merge onto I-65 north within the past 5 years.

AL-59 north of Bay Minette is still undeveloped.

But I'm not sure why ALDOT hasn't swapped the AL-59/AL-287 alignments there so AL-59 could be one continuous 4-lane all the way down from I-65. Have AL-287 end at AL-225 in Stockton and have 225 take over the rural Al-59 section up to Uriah. But that's fictional territory I know.

The traffic signal for southbound traffic was there when I went down in February 2020.  The ramp northbound was already 2 lanes back in 2013.

I will be headed back down there in 2 weeks.  I am interest to see the progress on the new bridge.

[freebrickproductions]

ALDOT will be starting the project to replace the bridge at the US 42/US 72/AL 13/AL 17 & AL 20 interchange just south of downtown Florence on Monday:
https://aldotnews.com/2026/02/25/mitchell-boulevard-bridge-replacement-to-begin/

Apparently the current bridge dates all the way back to 1938, and the project is expected to be complete in Spring of 2028 right now. ALDOT plans to keep traffic heading towards the Tennessee River flowing over the bridge during the replacement process, though traffic heading away from the river will be forced to detour.

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://www.dot.state.al.us/news/2026/opmNH-I065(536).html

Another segment of I-65 will be widened to six lanes from exit 13 to exit 15. The existing bridges over AL-158 will be replaced with a new, wider bridge structure.

[ElishaGOtis]

https://www.dot.state.al.us/news/2026/opmNH-I065(536).html

Another segment of I-65 will be widened to six lanes from exit 13 to exit 15. The existing bridges over AL-158 will be replaced with a new, wider bridge structure.

2 miles down, 200 more to go! 

[Voyager75]

Ran over to AL-161 today and took a few pics.


AL-161 now posted on the off ramp overhead.



AL-161 South (still without direction signage) is only posted to US-90. ALDOT hasn't finished obviously.



This was interesting and not expected so the pic is a little blurry but a JCT AL-104 has gone up at the E Silverhill Ave intersection. Does ALDOT have plans to expand 104 eastbound from AL-59 to AL-161? The original TO-104 signs are still up however.

[formulanone]

Yesterday, I spotted a fairly-new SR 6 sign along with US 82 at/around AL 14 in Prattville, but west of US 31. The Easter Eggs are coming early...

No pics, sorry.

[ElishaGOtis]

Speed Cameras now explicitly authorized for use in Work Zones with a $250 fine for 10+ over the speed limit. Those would probably make KILLER bucks in those random 45mph work zones ALDOT loves to put on interstates lol 😂

https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/files/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2026RS/SB341-enr.pdf

[formulanone]

Speed Cameras now explicitly authorized for use in Work Zones with a $250 fine for 10+ over the speed limit. Those would probably make KILLER bucks in those random 45mph work zones ALDOT loves to put on interstates lol 😂

https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/files/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2026RS/SB341-enr.pdf

Where's the dislike button?

But seriously, there's people who rip through work zones at 10-20 the normal posted speed limits and that's dangerous when others are at (or near) the posted Work Zone limits. I don't advocate for unpatrolled enforcement since an inanimate camera can't testify in court.

I don't like that this could be used for the construction zones which are perpetually 99% completed, but generally the state is pretty good compared to others about making the work zones as short as possible. Probably because construction and repairs are limited altogether...

[ElishaGOtis]

Speed Cameras now explicitly authorized for use in Work Zones with a $250 fine for 10+ over the speed limit. Those would probably make KILLER bucks in those random 45mph work zones ALDOT loves to put on interstates lol 😂

https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/files/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2026RS/SB341-enr.pdf

Where's the dislike button?

But seriously, there's people who rip through work zones at 10-20 the normal posted speed limits and that's dangerous when others are at (or near) the posted Work Zone limits. I don't advocate for unpatrolled enforcement since an inanimate camera can't testify in court.

I don't like that this could be used for the construction zones which are perpetually 99% completed, but generally the state is pretty good compared to others about making the work zones as short as possible. Probably because construction and repairs are limited altogether...

Ehhh AL has been doing a lot more work in many parts of the state... but the thing you mentioned is a serious concern imho (I've been noticing it happening increasingly often in every state, not just AL). The big thing I've seen is AL reducing speed limits for a standard resurfacing project, something that I thought they stopped doing but I guess not... gosh dang 55mph is annoying on the open freeways for JUST RESURFACING   

[Voyager75]

https://www.aldotnews.com/2026/04/21/new-lakeshore-parkway-alignment-with-morgan-road-taking-shape-in-bessemer/

Well after 35 some odd years, Lakeshore Parkway will finally run from I-65 to I-459 as one continuous 4-lane artery. For some reason ALDOT has the entire route designated as AL-149 when it currently ends just west of I-65. Maybe they plan to extend the designation.

Looks like the current alignment at AL-150 will be shifted slightly to the west with a new intersection.

[The Ghostbuster]

It is likely too soon to show construction of the Lakeshore Parkway extension: https://www.google.com/maps/@33.3799494,-86.9366916,397m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D. Also, does anyone know what those two stub intersections west of Lakeshore Parkway are (or were) to be?

[Voyager75]

It is likely too soon to show construction of the Lakeshore Parkway extension: https://www.google.com/maps/@33.3799494,-86.9366916,397m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D. Also, does anyone know what those two stub intersections west of Lakeshore Parkway are (or were) to be?

Been a long time but I think it was just for planned commercial development that never materialized.

[froggie]

The ALDOT article mentions 65/Lakeshore will be Jefferson County's 2nd DDI.  Where's the first?

[ElishaGOtis]

The ALDOT article mentions 65/Lakeshore will be Jefferson County's 2nd DDI.  Where's the first?

Technically the closest thing I could find, even though it's not actually a DDI... https://maps.app.goo.gl/EaEeov1GjfddApMZ8?g_st=ic

[freebrickproductions]

The ALDOT article mentions 65/Lakeshore will be Jefferson County's 2nd DDI.  Where's the first?

The first in the state was on I-10 down near Mobile:
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.6631771,-87.8518044,534m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQyNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

The diamond it replaced had already been a dual carriageway, so ALDOT just simply reused the existing bridges over I-10 rather than replacing them.

The second in the state, and the first in Jefferson County, is going in at Exit 104 on I-20/I-59:
https://aldotnews.com/2025/09/24/jefferson-countys-first-diverging-diamond-interchange-under-construction/
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.3247123,-87.0481064,1038m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQyNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D