DAPHNE — The long-discussed Baldwin 13 extension and Interstate 10 service road adjacent to TimberCreek is about to become a reality, according to discussions at the Daphne City Council work session Thursday.

Alan Cox, who represents TimberCreek, said an agreement has been made between that community and the county that will clear the way for the interchange and service road.

Under the agreement TimberCreek will donate the land for the service road and put up $4.3 million to help with construction costs.

Baldwin County will also contribute $1.75 million to the project. Cox said he hopes the city of Daphne will make a matching contribution.

The agreement also includes Infirmary Health System, which plans to purchase 100 acres of property from TimberCreek to construct a medical facility on the site.

“This is a big deal,” Cox said. “I know it is important to the county, city of Daphne and the residents of TimberCreek.”

“Daphne is probably the largest city in the state that does not have a hospital,” he added.

Cox said he believed it was the right move for the future.

“The Infirmary will probably end up being Daphne’s biggest employer,” he said. “I hope to look back someday and say, ‘You know, we did one thing right.’ ”

Involved in this situation is The Spanish Fort Town Center, which is under construction at the I-10 and U.S. Highway 98 interchange. The proposed service road is designed to terminate at the proposed Mobile Infirmary site, before it reaches the future home of the Bass Pro Shops and other developments in Spanish Fort being constructed by Cypress Equities.

“We did not block anybody out; we gave them a business decision and they passed so they will not be involved,” Cox said. “We made an offer to Cypress Equities and they rejected it, so therefore they will not participate or have access to the interchange or the service road.”

The agreement between Baldwin County and TimberCreek ensures Cypress will not be involved for a long time.

According to Cox, the agreement includes a stipulation that no one will have access to the service road for 10 years without TimberCreek approval.

TimberCreek will still own about 40 acres of real estate along the service road.

“That will probably become the most expensive piece of property in Baldwin County,” Cox said.

Cox was at the City Council work session Thursday to explain the importance of the agreement and the advantages to the area.

“It is a tremendous benefit to Daphne and the county,” he said. “It will remove any controversy about the north-south corridor.

“The agreement will allow the construction to happen without a conflict,” Cox said.