Gulf Shores City Council members discussed a proposal to resurface over a mile of city streets recently as they gathered for their first work session of the new year on Jan. 2.

According to Clint Colvin, construction manager, the city is proposing that the engineering department pursue an Rebuild Alabama Act (RAA) through the Alabama Department of Transportation Act grant to fund street resurfacing on W. 12th St., W. 11th St., W. 8th St., Shoreland Drive, Shoreland Circle, Sunrise Drive and Pine Lane.

According to the presented documents, if the city is awarded the grant it would receive $253,562.50. While the majority of the project costs would be funded through the grant program, if approved there would also be a city match of $50,000 required to cover design, testing and construction and inspection costs associated with the project.

"This is something that Gov. [Kay] Ivey started a few years ago and provides funding to local municipalities to improve roadways," Colvin said.

Colvin said that with the city's match, the total cost of the project would be approximately $303,000 and will be mostly focused on smaller streets near the beach.

"The thinking was the higher number of streets would make it more likely that we would get the grant from what we've heard," Colvin said. "If awarded, the matching cost would be provided from the $1,300,000 in the 2024 budget for street resurfacing projects."

At the meeting, council member Steve Jones asked Colvin if any additional streets would be added to the resurfacing project. However, Colvin said that while no additional streets will be added, there is money in the budget that could potentially be used for base repairs on streets that may have damage.

"Nothing outside of the roadway itself (will be resurfaced)," Colvin said. "There is some money in there for some repairs, like some base repairs on a couple of those streets that have some bad spots."

However, Colvin said that if the city is awarded the grant the budget for street resurfacing would increase to $1,553,562.50.

This proposal is scheduled to be voted on at the next city council meeting, at 4 p.m. on Jan. 8, and is open to the public.