Spanish Fort approves temporary laydown yards for I‑10 Mobile River / Bayway construction with restoration and bonding requirements

The Spanish Fort City Council approved Ordinance 7072025 to establish temporary use rules for laydown yards and material storage along the Causeway and Battleship Parkway to support the I‑10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway widening project.

City Attorney David Connor told the council the special provision would allow temporary laydown yards for the Mobile River Bridge/Bayway construction if they meet conditions including Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) approval, a fixed term limited to the project, a bond to guarantee site restoration, and a flood evacuation plan that addresses named storms. Sites would be subject to buffering, fencing, limits on exterior lighting and signage and must be removed at project end.

Connor said the ordinance also requires documentation of pre‑existing site conditions (photographs and other evidence) and restoration to “as good a condition as it was before.” Council members asked whether staff or the contractor provides the pre‑ and post‑project photographs; Connor said contractors must submit documentation and staff should verify it on site.

The council opened and closed a public hearing (no public comments on the ordinance were recorded) and then adopted the ordinance on roll call (Gustafson: yes; Perry: yes; Wynne: yes; Bradner: yes; Mayor: yes). The mayor said the measure was necessary to accommodate the expected construction activity on the causeway while protecting natural conditions and public safety.