🚧 Heads Up Drivers: Lane Closures on US‑98 in Fairhope Start July 21

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

Intro:

Baldwin County truckers, commuters, and fair-weather road warriors—brace yourselves. Starting Monday, July 21, ALDOT is rolling out geotechnical work on US‑98 near Fly Creek in Fairhope, Alabama, and yes, that means lane closures. But before you slam the brakes and start cussin’, know this—it’s not a full shutdown. Just some smart prep work for a bridge project.

Still, if you’re trying to deliver on time or avoid wasting diesel idling in a flagged lane, you’ll want to read this. And thanks to Hervy’s Report Better News style, you’re getting it straight, with no fluff and no bureaucratic sugarcoating.

📍 When and Where

Let’s get to the facts first:

Start Date: Monday, July 21, 2025

End Date: Thursday, July 24, 2025

Time Window: 6:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. daily

Location: US‑98 between Veterans Drive/Woodlands Drive and Fly Creek Avenue in Fairhope, Alabama

So, basically—prime daytime hours, right during your pickups, deliveries, and everything in between.

According to ALDOT’s official announcement, this work is the start of geotechnical testing for a future culvert and bridge replacement project. That means they’re checking out the soil, inspecting drainage paths, and drilling test holes to gather the data needed to build a safer, stronger road section later down the line.

⛏️ What’s Actually Happening?

No, they’re not tearing up the whole highway—yet. This is early-phase engineering work. Crews will be drilling into the ground to assess soil conditions and water flow. They want to make sure whatever gets built can actually last. Makes sense, right?

This work is especially important because it takes place right next to Fly Creek, which means flooding and erosion are both factors. ALDOT needs to know what’s beneath the surface before laying a single foundation beam.

The bigger picture? This sets the stage for a major culvert replacement and possibly a small bridge project. So yeah, more work will come eventually—but this early phase tells them how to build it right.

🚦 Traffic Impact: What You Can Expect

The lane closures will alternate—meaning traffic won’t completely stop, but it will slow down. Expect:

Flaggers on-site managing one lane at a time

Temporary signage and possibly portable lights

Slow-roll zones between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily

Delays during morning commutes and lunchtime runs

The good news? No nighttime closures, no weekend shutdowns, and it’s all set to wrap up within four days (barring weather or surprises underground).

🛣️ Alternate Routes You Can Use

If you’re the kind of driver who’d rather reroute than sit in a queue, here are some alternates you can use:

County Road 13 – Cuts east-west across Fairhope and avoids downtown bottlenecks

Scenic 98 – A slower but more peaceful route if you're headed south

State Route 181 – A more direct north-south corridor, but it may see heavier volume as people dodge the US‑98 slowdown

Local deliveries in Fairhope? Give your customers a heads-up. There’s no point rushing if you’re going to get flagged down anyway.

🚛 Why This Actually Matters to Truckers

We get it—this ain’t your first traffic zone. But here’s why this one’s worth your attention:

Freight flow: Even short lane closures can mess up tight delivery schedules. Planning ahead means less stress and fewer HOS violations.

Safety enforcement: Expect ALDOT to have crews on-site and watching. Don’t be the guy who gets caught speeding through a flagged zone.

Bigger project signs: This testing likely means construction is coming down the road—literally. Knowing early helps you reroute future runs around the area.

📢 ALDOT’s Message to Drivers

ALDOT says this early work is all about being proactive. If they do this right now, they’ll avoid long-term shutdowns and emergency fixes down the road. Smart, if you ask us.

They’re also asking for drivers to be extra cautious through the area. Fairhope traffic is already tight during school months and beach season. A slow roll through this zone could save lives—and your insurance premium.

You can follow updates through:

aldotnews.com

The ALDOT Southwest Region Facebook page

💡 Bottom Line

This isn’t a shutdown—it’s a warning shot. A four-day heads-up that work is coming, things are changing, and traffic flow will get tested. Use the alternate routes if you can, warn your dispatchers, and share this post with fellow drivers in Baldwin County.

Most importantly—don’t let a small job today turn into a big delay for you tomorrow. A little route planning now can save your rig, your load, and your paycheck later.