Kali-Oka Road Reopens North of Highway 158 After Rebuild, Drainage Work

MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. — Kali-Oka Road has reopened to traffic just north of Highway 158 after crews finished rebuilding the roadway and installing large drainage structures, Mobile County officials said. Some work remains, however, and drivers are being asked to stay alert as crews wrap up.

The reopening restores a direct route for residents and commuters in north Mobile County who had been detouring around the closed section.

What is left to do

Temporary pavement markings are in place on the reopened stretch. Permanent striping will be added once the new asphalt has had time to cure, a process that takes about two weeks.

The county said the road will not be closed again for the striping work. Even so, motorists should expect possible delays and use caution while crews complete the remaining tasks.

• Status: Open to traffic north of Highway 158
• Markings: Temporary striping now; permanent striping after the asphalt cures, in roughly two weeks
• Future closures: None planned for striping
• Driver advice: Expect possible delays and watch for crews

Waiting for fresh asphalt to cure before applying permanent markings is a common practice in road construction. Allowing the pavement to settle helps permanent striping bond properly and last longer.

Part of a larger corridor project

The reconstruction is part of Mobile County’s ongoing effort to improve safety, drainage and drivability along the Kali-Oka Road/College Parkway corridor. The corridor lies in Mobile County Commission District 1.

Drainage improvements are a major piece of the work. Large drainage structures, such as culverts and box culverts that carry water beneath a roadway, help move stormwater away from the pavement. In a region that sees frequent heavy rain and tropical weather, inadequate drainage can lead to flooding, washouts and faster deterioration of the road surface. Replacing or enlarging those structures is often done alongside reconstruction so that the new road is better protected.

The work comes in a fall when drainage has been on many residents’ minds. Hurricane Isaias brought heavy rain and wind to the region earlier this month, prompting cleanup efforts across southwest Alabama.

How the project is paid for

The county said the Kali-Oka Road work is funded through several sources:

• The 2020 Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) Transportation Improvement Program
• The 2024 Pay-As-You-Go Transportation Improvement Program
• Rebuild Alabama
• The American Rescue Plan Act

Rebuild Alabama is the state law passed in 2019 that raised Alabama’s fuel tax to pay for road and bridge improvements, with a share of the revenue distributed to counties and cities. The American Rescue Plan Act is the 2021 federal pandemic relief law that sent funding to state and local governments, which many used for infrastructure such as water, sewer and drainage projects.

Mobile County’s Pay-As-You-Go program

The Pay-As-You-Go program pays for road and bridge improvements without new taxes or long-term debt, according to the county. Mobile County voters have approved PAYG all 20 times it has appeared on the ballot since the program began in 1977.

The program directs revenue from an existing property tax assessment to specific road and bridge projects that are presented to voters in two-year cycles. Because the money is collected before projects begin, the county can complete work without borrowing.

Voters will have another say on the program soon. The 2026 Pay-As-You-Go Transportation Improvement Program is on the Nov. 3 general election ballot, marking the program’s 21st appearance. That proposal would direct $82 million to 39 projects covering 89.8 miles of roadway and six bridges across the county, and it appears as the last item on the Mobile County ballot.

Projects like the Kali-Oka Road reconstruction illustrate how PAYG cycles overlap. Work approved by voters in one cycle can take years to complete because of surveying, engineering, permitting, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation and bidding, and larger projects may combine money from more than one cycle along with state and federal sources.

Driving safely through the area

Until permanent striping is complete, drivers on Kali-Oka Road should:

• Follow the temporary pavement markings carefully
• Slow down where crews and equipment are present
• Allow extra travel time for possible short delays
• Avoid distractions, especially in work areas

Residents with questions about the project or other county road work can contact the Mobile County Public Works Department, which oversees road and bridge projects in unincorporated areas of the county.