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Residents press city to push ALDOT on dangerous Beaver Creek intersection; city pledges to assist
Summary
Residents told council the new bridge and intersection at Beaver Creek create a hazardous condition; the city said it is coordinating with ALDOT, will press for long-term improvements slated for 2027 and offered to help residents connect with the regional Transportation Planning Organization.
Dozens of residents who live near the Beaver Creek intersection urged Orange Beach leaders on June 2 to press the Alabama Department of Transportation for safety improvements, saying the interim configuration after the new bridge creates blind approaches and unsafe departures from neighborhood streets.
Barbara Burns (Speaker 18) said she has sent “60 emails to ALDOT” about dangerous traffic and asked the city for a resolution of support and guidance on who to contact at the state agency. Burns told the council neighbors cannot safely exit the subdivision and asked for temporary measures such as a caution sign or speed reduction while long-term changes are planned.
City Administrator Ford Hanley (Speaker 20) told the council the city has been in “constant contact” with ALDOT, that ALDOT plans longer-term work in 2027 (including a two-way decel/turn lane), and that the city will continue pressing for interim improvements. Hanley said staff will share contacts and help residents present their concerns to the regional Transportation Planning Organization (TPO). “We are pushing for a long term solution such as a decel lane…There will be a two-way turn lane, eventually in 2027,” Hanley said.
Council members and staff agreed that the city’s options are limited until state permits or project schedules change, but several council members said the city should seek short-term signage or portable radar speed displays where ALDOT permits them. The council assigned staff to help the resident assemble materials and attend TPO meetings on their behalf.
Next steps: staff will share ALDOT contacts with residents, assist in preparing materials for the TPO and continue to press ALDOT for interim measures; any permanent signal or lane changes depend on ALDOT approvals and right-of-way constraints.
