BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WPMI) Millions of dollars are headed to Baldwin County to fix roads and bridges and make your drive a lot safer.
Five big new projects are slated for the county, the largest in Foley to extend Pride Drive from Alabama Highway 59 to County Road 20. Another project involves intersection improvements at County Road 64 and County Road 13 in Daphne.
It's all about staying connected to future growth and in most cases to a life saving evacuation route.
"That would help out a lot when we have a hurricane its something else getting in and out that's the truth about that," said Foley Resident Pete Blackwell.
The Foley area will benefit the most as the road extensions planned at Pride Drive will eventually make way to the north bound expansion project already underway along the Foley Beach Expressway. A second round-about project is in line for the Daphne area at County Road 64 and 13. School and growing neighborhood traffic will benefit.
Nearly $6 million in local money will be spent, along with $15 million in state grant money. The money will pay for more turn lanes, intersection improvements, resurfacing and new extensions.
Hurricane evacuation is a major driving force, even snow birds welcome the new projects.
"Even for us, if we're here during hurricane season you know, we have a motor home we need an easy way to get out," said Caroline Altemiller.
Folks in Foley say two of the extensions will help with the development of a planned entertainment project and an indoor sports complex near the high school.
