32 miles of pine forest land awaits drivers of this route. Baldwin County 112 cuts a swath over southeastern Baldwin County between U.S. 31 near Bay Minette (pop. 7820) and the Pensacola, Florida metropolitan area north of Interstate 10. Rolling hills with acres upon acres of pine forest are all that is to be found on this back road. The eastern terminus transitions to Escambia County 184 into Florida. Counties: Baldwin
Conversion to Baldwin County 112
Plans were announced during the May 2004 to extend Alabama 181 southward 16 miles from its terminus at Malbus (junction U.S. 90) to U.S. 98 near Weeks Bay. The routing will encompass the current Baldwin County 27 (Belforest Road) two-lane highway along the same stretch. The four-laning of the highway will alleviate traffic on both U.S. 98 and Alabama 59 between Interstate 10 and Foley-Weeks Bay and increase capacity of existing BelForest road (Baldwin County 27). Upon completion of the widening project, Alabama 181 will extend southward from U.S. 90 to U.S. 98 along the roadway. The state of Alabama will take over maintenance of Baldwin County 27 and thus Baldwin County will accept responsibility for the 32-mile Alabama 112 mileage in exchange. 1 As of early 2006, ALDOT crews already replaced Alabama 112 shields at the western terminus with Baldwin 112 shields.
Alabama 112 / Baldwin 112 East
The first Alabama 112 eastbound reassurance shield resides after Old Pensacola Road departs from U.S. 31 (East Second Street) outside of Bay Minette. There are only a handful of Alabama 112 shields on the 32-mile highway. Photo taken 06/14/04.
A Baldwin 112 shield replaced the Alabama 112 shield at the westbound beginning by early 2006. Photo taken 02/08/06.
Baldwin County 61 shield posted at the south end of Phillipsville Road Extension east of Bay Minette. Baldwin County 61 loops east than north through Phillipsville before ending at U.S. 31 near Perdido. The shield assembly pictured here is missing a left-hand arrow. Photo taken 06/14/04.
There are only two intersections with through roads along Alabama 112 between U.S. 31 and the Florida state line. This photograph looks at eastbound Alabama 112 at the northeastern terminus of Baldwin County 64. Baldwin County 64 intersects Interstate 10 at the Wilcox Road interchange (Exit 53). Photo taken 03/23/02.
Alabama 112 eastbound shield posted after the junction with Baldwin County 64 at Gateswood. 14 miles separate the intersection with the Escambia County line. Photo taken 12/20/03.
Alabama 112 crosses the Perdido River into the state of Florida. At the state line the highway becomes Escambia County 184 eastbound. Photo taken 12/20/03.
Alabama 112 West
First westbound Alabama 112 shield. The area is essentially wetlands, all in association with the Perdido River watershed, which marks the state line. The neighborhood watch sign is amusing, because the first 26 miles of Alabama 112 may see a total of a dozen or so homes. The rest of the land is home to pine forest farms associated with the logging industry. Photo taken 12/20/03.
Westbound Alabama 112 reassurance shield posted after the Baldwin County 64 intersection. The only other junction along Alabama 112 is with Baldwin County 87, a north-south route to Elsanor. At the time of these photographs, Baldwin County 64 was detoured via Baldwin County 87. Photo taken 03/23/02.
Approaching the western terminus of Baldwin 112 (Old Pensacola Road) at Eastwood near the Baldwin County seat of Bay Minette. Photo taken 02/08/06.
U.S. 31 shadows Interstate 65 to the east between Bay Minette and Atmore. The federal highway carries light traffic over rolling hills northeast of Baldwin 112. U.S. 31 heads 1.4 miles west to downtown Bay Minette otherwise. Photo taken 02/08/06.
Sources:
"Officials applaud road-widening projects for Baldwin 27 and U.S. 31." The Mobile Register, May 11, 2004.
