A free-standing pedestrian bridge will be constructed on the Eastern Shore Trail near the Grant Hotel in Point Clear and is expected to finish in 2025. 

Baldwin County Commission was awarded a Transportation Alternatives Program Grant by the Alabama Department of Transportation. This grant will fund 80% of the pedestrian bridge project and will cost $910,000 in total. 

The purpose of this project is the safely and efficiently convey pedestrians over Point Clear Creek. It will be located on the east side of the current vehicular bridge located on Scenic 98 between the Grand Hotel and their marina and will not be adjacent to traffic. 

“The pedestrian bridge maintains the current widths of the Eastern Shore Trail system and will be 100% ADA compliant,” said Baldwin County Assistant Engineer Mark Acreman. “Given the historic nature of the Grand Hotel and the surrounding community, much attention will be given to the overall appearance of the bridge to insure it is compatible with the area.” 

Acreman added that pedestrians are currently using the sidewalks on the east side of Scenic 98 and must merge with traffic to cross the vehicular bridge. 

“The proposed bridge will be freestanding to keep pedestrians and vehicles segregated while crossing Point Cleer Creek,” he said. “This project supports the Baldwin County Commission’s Strategic Plan Goals for transportation infrastructure by reducing the dependence on automobiles by providing alternative modes of transportation such as biking or walking.” 

The TAP Grant was accepted at the Dec. 19 commission meeting, which started the initiation of the design phase. This bridge will complete a missing link in the 22-mile long Eastern Shore Trail that stretches from Spanish Fort to the Weeks Bay Reserve at Fish River. 

Comprised of sidewalks, asphalt paths, elevated boardwalks and low bridges, the Eastern Shore Trail is a popular route for runners, pedestrians and casual cyclists. 

In a news release, Baldwin County Commission said they are grateful to ALDOT for the grant, which will support strategic goals of providing safe infrastructure to meet the ever-growing needs of the residents and visitors of Baldwin County.