BAY Minette, Ala. — The Baldwin County Highway Department has opened the new, two-lane Styx River Steel Bridge on County Road 68 which replaces the one lane bridge that was built in 1948.

“This has been a great challenge that is now complete with a beautiful bridge that will serve the community and Baldwin County for decades to come,” said Baldwin County Commission Chairman Frank Burt.

The old bridge caused numerous problems due to its size and height. The narrow, one-lane bridge had a maximum weight limit of 13 tons and made the travel of trucks and wide loads a difficult task for local residents and caused repeated repairs to be needed to the bridge.

The new bridge has two 12-foot lanes and no weight limit which will make it more convenient for the public to cross with wide loads, Burt said.

In addition to its small size, the old bridge often flooded during any significant rain event, leaving residents living on the north side with no easy way to get out. The new bridge now stands 12 feet higher.

“My grandfather helped build the original old “Steel Bridge” and my family has been using it for years and there’s a lot of history around that bridge, we have seen it change in many ways over the years,” said local resident Dale Dunbar. “Now it’s time for this new bridge and we appreciate this new bridge and are thankful we won’t be stranded by a rain storm anymore.”

Construction cost was about $2.1 million. The bridge is open to the public, and crews are removing existing asphalt, finishing road shoulders and removing the old bridge.