Baldwin Co. road project back on agenda

BALDWIN COUNTY, Alabama (WALA) - ROAD CONTROVERSY IN SPANISH FORT

A controversial road project is back on the agenda in Baldwin County. It’s an access road that would connect the Jubilee Center to Highway 181 and the Eastern Shore Centre. Residents who have fought against the project in the past are disappointed.

“It would just create a gigantic traffic problem,” resident Bob Schmidt said.

Schmidt plans to go to commission meeting Tuesday and speak out against the road, which he said will bring unnecessary congestion.

“I think there is still no need for the service road,” Schmidt said. "There’s plenty of access to the mall and the Jubilee Center.”

NINE MILLION DOLLARS, NINE THOUSAND VEHICLES

Cal Markert with the Baldwin County Roads Department estimates the $9 million road would carry 9,000 vehicles a day.

“We just feel like that will help alleviate some safety concerns between the interchanges and help the economy at each mall,” Markert said.

Robert Bradley, who leases Magnolia Golf Course at Timber Creek along the northern edge of the proposed road, hopes that traffic from the project can keep the course viable, while addressing the concerns of the residents.

“The residents know they have 27 holes of golf. The residents that are on Magnolia know they can keep their golf course that will be good for us, that will be good for them,” said Bradley.

VOTE WEDNESDAY MORNING

The Baldwin County Commission will vote on whether or not to pursue the road project at Wednesday morning's commission meeting in Bay Minette.