Gulf Shores Installs Support Towers for $24 Million Intracoastal Pedestrian Bridge

GULF SHORES, Ala. — A major infrastructure milestone is taking shape along the Gulf Coast as construction crews reach crucial vertical assembly phases for the new Waterway Village Pedestrian Bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW).

The $24 million project—designed to link the north and south sides of the vibrant Waterway Village District at East Second Street and Canal Road—has officially entered its next critical construction phase with the installation and framing of two massive support and elevator towers.

🏗️ Project Breakdown: Key Milestones & Current Progress

According to project updates from the City of Gulf Shores Capital Projects Department, structural crews and specialized steel fabricators are making rapid progress across both sides of the canal:

• South Elevator Tower: Vertical concrete pours and structural framework are complete, with crews currently wrapping up final electrical conduits and internal utility wiring.
• North Elevator Tower: Workers are actively positioning and welding vertical steel framing, panel supports, and stair-and-landing concrete pours. Over the coming weeks, teams will move to installing exterior wall panels, roof structures, and soffits.
• Off-Site Superstructure Assembly: The primary tide-arch bridge superstructure is currently being fabricated off-site. On-site assembly of the bridge components is scheduled to begin in early August 2026.
• The Big Lift (September Target): Once the superstructure components are assembled on-site, heavy crane operators tentatively target mid-September 2026 to lift and set the massive central bridge span onto its substructure towers, placing the walkway approximately 75 feet above the Intracoastal Waterway.

Following the bridge lift, paving and concrete teams will return to the site in the fall to lay the asphalt wearing surfaces, complete pedestrian walkways, and finish perimeter landscaping.

🌉 Why the Pedestrian Bridge Is Critical for the Gulf Coast

The Waterway Village Pedestrian Bridge is far more than an architectural centerpiece—it is a vital component of regional traffic and safety planning.

1. Highway 59 & W.C. Holmes Bridge Expansion

As part of broader Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) and local traffic mitigation projects, the existing W.C. Holmes Bridge on Highway 59 is undergoing lanes expansion. To make room for an additional vehicular travel lane across the waterway, the legacy narrow walking and biking path on the W.C. Holmes Bridge is being removed. The new $24 million pedestrian bridge creates a completely separated, dedicated crossing for cyclists and pedestrians, insulating foot traffic from heavy highway vehicles.

2. Freight-Sized Elevators & Accessible Towers

Rather than building winding, low-gradient ramps that would have required massive land footprints and displaced local businesses, the city opted for two multi-story elevator and stair towers. The freight-sized elevators are specifically engineered to accommodate up to three full-sized bicycles alongside multiple pedestrians simultaneously, and feature dedicated backup generators to maintain continuous operation during local power disruptions.

3. Integrated Parking & Public Plazas

The $24 million project scope includes dedicated off-street parking lots on both the north and south banks. This additions protects neighborhood parking in nearby residential areas (such as Gulf Pines) and ensures local restaurant and retail patrons retain ample parking options. Complementing the bridge are two new waterfront plazas featuring shaded seating areas, public restrooms, expanded sidewalks, and community event space for live music and outdoor gatherings.

💰 Funding & Cost Breakdown

The $24 million multi-phase initiative represents a collaborative effort between federal grants and municipal general funding:

• BUILD Grant Funding: $7.9 million secured via the federal Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program.
• City of Gulf Shores General Fund & Capital Investment: ~$16.1 million covering base construction contracts (awarded to Harrison Construction), utility relocations, and alternate bids for dual-side parking plazas and public realm improvements.

🚦 Traffic Impacts & Community Timeline

Motorists traveling through Gulf Shores near Canal Road and East Second Street should continue to expect localized traffic shifts and speed reductions around the active crane and staging corridors. Local access restrictions remain in effect on select adjacent side streets while utility crews and concrete subcontractors complete ongoing right-of-way improvements.

With superstructure assembly slating for August and the high-profile bridge lift targeted for mid-September, overall project completion and final dedication remain on track for late 2026.