Paving Is Underway on 5.6 Miles of US-90 in Baldwin County After Rain Pushed the Schedule

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. — Paving is now underway on a 5.6-mile section of US-90 in Baldwin County, and the Alabama Department of Transportation says the resurfacing project is progressing as planned.

Milling Finished in August

The project began Aug. 17 with milling, which removes the old asphalt surface. Milling was completed Aug. 27.

Because US-90 is a two-lane roadway in the project area, traffic must be controlled with flaggers during the work. The contractor completed the milling across the entire project before beginning paving.

That sequencing decision is the reason drivers have spent weeks on a milled surface. Alternating between milling and paving in short segments would keep the finished surface closer behind the work, but it would also mean far more days of lane closures spread across a longer period. Completing one operation across the full length before starting the next compresses the total disruption.

This approach helps limit the amount of time motorists are affected by lane closures.

Weather Delayed the Start of Paving

Rain between Aug. 31 and Labor Day delayed the start of paving. Lane closures were paused during the Labor Day holiday, as required by ALDOT.

Paving began Sept. 10 and is expected to take about two to three weeks, depending on weather and other conditions.

Asphalt placement is genuinely weather-dependent rather than merely weather-preferred. Hot-mix asphalt cannot be laid on a wet surface, and compaction depends on the mix staying within a temperature range during placement. Paving in the rain produces a surface that fails early.

Why a Milled Road Looks the Way It Does

“It is normal for a milled roadway to remain in that condition for a period of time before new asphalt is placed,” said ALDOT Southwest Region spokesperson James Gordon.

“While the milled surface may look and feel different from a finished roadway, it is a normal part of the resurfacing process. Signs are posted throughout the work area to alert motorists to the road conditions and encourage drivers to slow down and use caution.”

A milled surface has a grooved texture that produces noticeable noise and vibration, offers different traction characteristics than finished pavement — particularly when wet — and can have a pronounced edge where it meets an unmilled lane or shoulder. Those are the conditions the posted warnings address, and they are the reason reduced speed matters more than usual in a milled work zone.

Drivers Asked to Use Caution

Motorists traveling through the work zone should pay attention to signs, follow flaggers’ instructions and reduce their speed.

Flagger-controlled two-lane operations warrant particular attention. With one lane closed, opposing traffic alternates through a single lane, and a driver who proceeds past a flagger’s stop signal creates a head-on conflict. Flaggers also work on foot within feet of moving traffic.

Timeline

Paving is expected to take about two to three weeks from its Sept. 10 start, weather permitting. ALDOT said it appreciates the public’s patience while the project is completed.

Latest Developments: Longer Waits, Project Cost and a New Finish Estimate

The resurfacing work covers the stretch of Highway 90 between Loxley and Malbis, and drivers are still feeling the effects. With the two-lane road reduced to one lane through the work zones, the contractor is using flaggers and pilot cars to lead traffic through, and waits can reach 15 minutes or longer at times.

ALDOT spokesperson James Gordon said the length of the corridor and the traffic control needed to protect workers explain why the job is taking time. “There’s a lot involved there,” Gordon said. “They have to have crews out there to direct traffic. We call it traffic control to make sure that it’s done safely. A lot of folks in that area are probably thinking, why does it take so long? Well, that’s why. It’s a long stretch. It’s a pretty long stretch.”

Some drivers say the delays have disrupted their daily routines. Tamya Stallworth, waiting in line in the work zone, said she is eager for the project to wrap up. “I’m ready for it to be over with so we can have a clean slate road to get through,” Stallworth said. “Yes. It’s been too much traffic for me to get to my grandma’s house and drop my children off.”

Why the Work Is Happening in Daylight

Gordon noted that ALDOT usually schedules resurfacing work at night, but this project is being done during the day to finish it faster. He suggested drivers who are in a hurry consider another way around. “I would look at maybe an alternate route,” Gordon said. “In this case, take the interstate or another county road that runs parallel to it if you need to get somewhere a lot faster, but typically in most cases we do resurfacing work at night. In this case, we’re doing it in the daytime mainly to get it done quicker.”

For many Eastern Shore and central Baldwin County commuters, Interstate 10 is the most direct parallel option between the Loxley and Malbis areas.

$1.5 Million Price Tag, Guardrails Included

The project costs $1.5 million. Most of the funding comes from state dollars, and the rest comes from a federal safe highways grant that will pay for new guardrails and other safety features along the route.

Weather permitting, ALDOT expects the project to be finished within the next three weeks, and officials continue to ask drivers for patience.

Related coverage from South AL News

• Five Nights of Flagging: US-31 Roadwork in Brewton Runs Sept. 20-24
• Gulf Shores Road Resurfacing Underway: First Streets Named in $1.5 Million McElhenny Contract
• Left Lane Closed for a Week: I-65 Southbound Narrows at Mile Marker 59 Starting Monday
• Geneva County Drivers: SR-52 and CR-73 Intersection Becomes Temporary Three-Way Stop Wednesday During Construction