Proposed Bridge Through Gulf State Park

Locals call it, Powerline Road for obvious reasons. It cuts through the eastern edge of Gulf State Park in Orange Beach. For years there has been talk of paving it but now there's a plan Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon says is getting a lot of support. "The states behind us. They see the value of another north-south corridor. Not just having one especially during an evacuation but also for moving traffic during the summer when it really gets tough to get around down here."

The two lane, elevated roadway would be 8 to 10 feet off the ground connecting Canal Road to Perdido Beach Highway and providing motorists on Foley Beach Express a more direct route to the beach. "It's going to be an elevated bridge. It will have zero impact on the state park. There will be shielded lights and it will be sound proofed. I think it's a great project and a big asset for the city of Orange Beach."

A straight shot to the beach would no doubt benefit tourists but for businesses that depend on the Canal Road traffic the jury is still out.

"Has business been good?"

"It could be better but we're not going to complain, we got the lights still burning." Glenn and Dale Beard opened The Meat Market last year. Heavy traffic on Canal Road hasn't always helped. "I think they want to get in and get out. When it's that day to come and go, they are ready to come and go."

For older businesses like The Prosperous Pelican, steering potential customers away from Canal Road is not the answer. "It might just be a complete cut off like when they build a new highway around a town or a loop. The town just goes away," says owner Leigh Sullivan.

Kennon says the Cross Island Connector could benefit everyone. "I think it's a win/win long term. But we can't deal with the traffic issues we have now and stay status quo."

The Alabama Department of Transportation would use 15 to 18 million dollars that would have gone into five-laning Canal Road to help fund the elevated bridge.

This is not a done deal but it does have the backing of Governor Bentley and other state agencies and could be built in the next two to four years.