"Alabama to Eliminate Beach Toll with Purchase of Foley Beach Express Bridge"

Alabama is set to purchase the Foley Beach Express toll bridge for $60 million, with plans to remove the toll once the transaction is finalized in May. The bridge will be paired with a new bridge in Gulf Shores to create one-way bridges onto and off Alabama’s beaches, aiming to alleviate traffic congestion. The Alabama Department of Transportation will operate the Beach Express Bridge toll-free, and the entire route from Interstate 10 will become a state highway named State Route 161. The agreement also resolves a lawsuit and ends a long-standing contract, with the City of Orange Beach set to vote on the proposed agreement in May.