GULF SHORES, AL - A City of Gulf Shores project and an Alabama Department of Transportation project are scheduled to begin the week of Jan. 18 on Alabama 59 in Gulf Shores.

The City of Gulf Shores and the Alabama Department of Transportation will complete work simultaneously in order to minimize any disruptions.

The scope includes constructing an eight-foot wide multi-use path, along both sides of Alabama 59, and making slight modifications to various driveways and side streets, on Alabama 59, from the junction of Alabama 182 to the intersection of 20th Avenue in Gulf Shores.

The multi-use sidewalks will replace the existing narrow sidewalks and allow for safer use by pedestrians and bikers. The access management portion of the project will help traffic flow along Alabama 59 by eliminating some existing conflict points.

The City of Gulf Shores and the Alabama Department of Transportation have worked with the adjacent property owners on the design of the new improvements.

The work is expected to begin from the south, working north in two block sections, with all work being completed prior to the contractor moving forward. The majority of the work is expected to be completed by the spring of 2016, prior to peak tourism season. No work will be performed in the peak season.

Both contracts were awarded to C. Thornton Inc., from Mobile, whose bid of $607,888 (ALDOT) and $896,341 (City of Gulf Shores) were the lowest that met project requirements.