How Much Would You Pay To Avoid Beach Traffic?

Driving to paradise can be a nightmare in Baldwin County! Southbound traffic on Highway 59 is usually bumper-to-bumper...an obstacle course of red lights, frequent stops and impatient drivers.

The Baldwin Beach Express extension project, which will eventually connect the existing Foley Beach Express with Interstate 10 and 65, will alleviate traffic tie-ups. But there's a catch: county officials are considering charging drivers a toll to help pay for the 220 million dollar project.

3,000 drivers have been given survey cards asking if they would use the extension and be willing to pay a toll to by-pass Highway 59. Officials so for the most part, tourists wouldn't mind paying a doll, but local drivers, who use the existing toll bridge and pay seven bucks for a round-trip visit to Orange Beach, say they couldn't afford it.

A toll rate hasn't been finalized, but county officials say if approved, drivers could pay between 50 cents and six dollars to use the beach express extension.