GULF SHORES, AL – When the city begins its winter street-paving program, the budget will have a little wiggle room to pinpoint other road needs, Public Works Director Mark Acreman says.

Gulf Shores is also going to partner with Baldwin County to brighten fading stripes on County Road 8 on the city’s north side.

“We’re recommending not to exceed the amount of $400,000 to give us some flexibility if need some other for small paving projects within the city limits while he’s mobilized and we have good unit pricing,” Acreman said.

The winning bidder on the project was Ammons and Blackmon at $372,000, Hosea O. Weaver turned in a $411,000 bid and John G. Walton bid $414,000 for the work.

“The budgeted amount for this work was $450,000 so we’re substantially under budget for this one,” Acreman said. “That money will be applied to other public works projects.

Streets that will be paved are East 15th Avenue, Briarwood Drive, Forestwood Drive, and St. Andrews Drive. The East 15th Avenue work will include a sidewalk from Alabama 59 to Fort Morgan Road to connect with sidewalks that lead to the campuses of Gulf Shores Elementary, Gulf Shores Middle and Gulf Shores High.

On County Road 8, Acreman says the lines are fading and for safety reasons he wants to partner with the county and provide funding for the parts of the road that are in the city limits.

“There’s not a lot of striping on it in places and there are places where the striping is completely wore out,” he said. “It’s really dark at night because there are no lights on it. This is a county-maintained road, however there are portions of it that have properties on either side that are City of Gulf Shores properties.

“They came back with an intergovernmental agreement where we’ll pay for the labor and materials and paint in the amount of about $3,400. They were will you use their forces to restripe all of County Road 8 east from highway 59 to the Foley Beach Express.”

The city will provide some labor, paint and materials for the areas in Gulf Shores which Acreman said is about .71 miles.

“This is reflective painting so it will look really good at night,” Acreman said. “Not too long ago they did the same thing on County Road 4.

Mayor Robert Craft and the council seemed in agreement with the city’s part of the proposed project.

“This makes sense and is a good deal for us,” Craft said.