New road, bridge project solves old problem in Styx River community

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. ( WKRG ) — The earth is moving near Styx River. Baldwin County crews are relocating a one-mile stretch of River Road to higher ground.

“It’s been a problem for a long time,” said Baldwin County Engineer Frank Lundy. “It’s time to fix it now.”

The problem has been flooding. Heavy rains wash out the road making it impassable for families living there. The last big blowout was in 2021, but the county has had to repair it many times over the years.

“It’s really just been a band-aid over and over and over again,” Baldwin County Commissioner Billie Jo Underwood said.

On a county map, it is easy to see the problem. The area shaded in blue shows the high water area.

“When the river rises all of that portion that we are moving up the hill is virtually underwater,” Underwood said.

The new road is just to the north and will also include a new bridge.

“The new alignment will have a 180-foot, concrete bridge to traverse over Flat Creek,” Lundy said.

The cost is $2.7 million. The majority of the funding comes from the federal government with $500,000 coming from the county.

“For the people that live on this road this is going to be a lifetime of benefit,” Underwood said.

Construction of the bridge is set to begin later this year with the whole project finished in 18 months.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.