Starting this week, construction crews working on a Highway 59 Expansion Project in Gulf Shores will begin constructing the permanent medians south of the bridge, according to a release from the city.

This new phase of work means traffic barrels at East 16th Avenue will no longer be able to be moved in the morning to accommodate school traffic, the release says.

Left-hand turns at East 16th Avenue are permanently eliminated as of Monday morning.

For those traveling southbound on Highway 59 to Gulf Shores schools, the city says three routes remain available:

"Please plan to use one of these routes starting Monday morning, December 16," the release reads.

"We appreciate your cooperation as progress continues on adding a new southbound lane to Highway 59."

For more information about this project or to ask any questions, the city advised residents to contact the Engineering Department at 251-968-1166.

Work to add a third southbound lane to Alabama 59 from Coastal Gateway Boulevard south to Fort Morgan Road began earlier this year in Gulf Shores.

The second phase, from Coastal Gateway Boulevard to Parkway South, is anticipated to be complete by the end of summer of next year along with the third phase, which runs from Target to County Road 6, according to the city.

The project is part of a $14.4-million Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development grant the (BUILD) the city was awarded by the Federal Highway Administration in November 2019 for capacity improvements on I-59.

"Managing growth is the biggest issue that we face here, and these transportation improvements are not going to be fun while it's going on, but you've got to do that," Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft told Gulf Coast Media previously.