Baldwin County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Baldwin County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
County Road 55/54 roundabout and Eastern Shore Trail
Engineering design for the CR 55/54 roundabout and the Eastern Shore Trail Extension both moved forward on the consent agenda.
County Road 64 School Zone Speed Limit
The speed limit on County Road 64 will step down from 45 to 35 mph ahead of the new school's 25-mph zone, making the gradual slowdown safer for drivers and kids.
County Road 73 safety and drainage near Greenwood Subdivision
A cattle farmer described three crashes where cars without shoulders went into his property, and warned that 400 more vehicles on narrow CR 73 will multiply the danger. Speakers also recalled Hurricane Sally flooding over the CR 73 bridge.
ATRIP II Safety Project at Highway 181 and CR 32
Commissioners picked the congested 181/32 intersection near Barnwell — with heavy school and commuter traffic — for the county's state road grant application, passing over Blakeley State Park's entrance request.
C3 Program Twin Beach Road Improvements
The county's new C3 transportation program launched its first project: $5 million in safety upgrades on Twin Beach Road near Fairhope, including a roundabout and school-zone pedestrian improvements, split evenly with the city.
FY 2027 Rebuild Alabama road and bridge projects
The Commission adopted its FY 2027 transportation plan with six projects, including resurfacing on Pine Grove Road, Lottie Road, County Road 24, and a bridge replacement on Scenic Highway 98 over Point Clear Creek.
Rebuild Alabama Act gas tax benefit questioned
Commissioners discussed how the 2019 state gas tax hike hasn't boosted Baldwin County much because it's a 'donor county' — most collections flow to less populated counties under the state formula. They want data added to budget materials so the public can see what the county actually gets back.
$1.33 Billion Transportation Capital Need
The county has a ten-year road, intersection, and bridge wish list totaling $1.33 billion — far beyond what current funding can cover. Commissioners will hold work sessions on funding tools, and leaders hinted taxes might ultimately be part of the conversation.
County Road 65 paving and Hinote Glass Road intersection work
The commission awarded a $2.7 million CDBG-DR grant-funded contract to grade, drain, base and pave County Road 65, and approved a $50,001 change order for intersection improvements at Hinote Glass Road and Highway 59 due to unsuitable soil.
Baldwin Beach Express 2 extension
The planned 25-mile, four-lane, toll-free extension from I-10 to I-65 is the marquee project of the connectivity plan. Commissioner Ball called it the most exciting item for his end of the county, opening a major north-south corridor.
Weight-restricted bridge replacements
Five of the county's 159 bridges are weight-restricted, including the aging County Road 32 bridge over Fish River. The county is seeking federal grants, with the Scenic 98 bridge at the Grand Hotel slated for replacement starting 2027.
Lanterna development traffic and Pleasant Road access
Residents along Pleasant Road pleaded with the commission to eliminate the subdivision's connection to their road, citing brutal traffic near three schools and plummeting property values. The county's PRD approval already locked in the layout, and commissioners approved both phases anyway.
Accept for Maintenance (AFM) road policy review
Commissioner Underwood wants the county's road takeover policy revised, calling the current process a false sense of hope for people on roughly 290 private roads. The engineer noted most counties don't have such a policy and that it conflicts with the county's connectivity-focused strategic plan.
Traffic signal at Highway 104 and Saint Michael Way
Verandas residents say the two-way-stop intersection near the new Fairhope Reserve subdivision is already congested and unsafe, especially with teen drivers from St. Michael's High School. The county highway department is working with ALDOT to signalize the intersection.