Alabama Gulf Coast @ AARoads
A look at the state highways that serve the Gulf of Mexico coastal area of south Baldwin County, Alabama. The popular resort towns of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores continue to flourish with new home and condo construction. Meanwhile Foley to the north adds appeal with its outlet centers and small town charm.

| Highway |
South/West End |
North/East End |
Mileage |
| 59 |
Alabama 182 - Gulf Shores |
Alabama 21 - Uriah |
94.1 |
| 135 |
Alabama 182 - Gulf Shores |
Alabama 180 - Gulf Shores |
2.1 |
| 161 |
Alabama 182 - Orange Beach |
Alabama 180 - Orange Beach |
1.7 |
| 180 |
Fort Morgan |
Orange Beach |
31.4 |
| 182 |
Pine Beach |
Florida state line (Florida 292) |
17.3 |
| Foley Beach Express |
Alabama 180 - Orange Beach |
Alabama 59 - Foley |
13.5 |
| State Park Road 2 |
Alabama 182 - Orange Beach |
Alabama 135 - Gulf State Park |
3.0 |


Alabama 59 provides the main gateway between Interstates 10 and 65 to the Alabama Gulf Coast. The state highway joins U.S. 31 between the two freeways as the Gulf Shores Parkway, a four-lane divided highway between Loxely and Bay Minette. In conjunction with Alabama 287, Alabama 59 acts as the conduit for beachgoers from the Great Lakes and northern Alabama. South of Interstate 10, Alabama 59 maintains at least four overall lanes through to the terminus at Gulf Shores. Speed traps exist in the incorporated towns of Summerdale and Robertsdale where speed limits drop from 55 to 35 MPH.
The original Alabama 59 constitutes the route between Uriah and Bay Minette in 1940. By 1957 Alabama 59 grew to its current length extending southward to Gulf Shores over the former Alabama 3 routing.2 Alabama 3 is the hidden counterpart for U.S. 31 in Baldwin County now. Four laning of the stretch between Gulf Shores and Interstate 10 was completed by 1996 to provide additional capacity for the tourist season and hurricane evacuation situations.
Alabama @ AARoads - Alabama 59


Foley Beach Express
A public/private project, the Foley Beach Express entails a 13.5-mile expressway and toll bridge between Alabama 59 near Summerdale and Alabama 180 at Orange Beach. The southernmost six miles were built with private funds. Included on this segment is a 2,000 foot span over the Intracoastal Waterway between Orange Beach and the Baldwin County mainland. The 73' tall bridge entailed $10.5 million of the overall $36 million project.
The four-lane highway and two-lane bridge opened to traffic by August of 2000 after construction commenced on June 2, 1999. The northernmost 7.5 miles of the expressway are maintained by the city of Foley. The Intracoastal Waterway bridge carries a $2.00 toll for all passenger vehicles or $1.00 for Foley Beach Express Club members.1
Alabama @ AARoads - Foley Beach Express
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