If you’ve driven southbound just north of the W.C. Holmes Bridge in Gulf Shores, you may have noticed traffic cone movement on the additional third lane on Hwy. 59.

The new third lane is set to open by Memorial Day and will add an extra lane of southbound traffic from the Target light to the bridge.

Cory Pippin, communications manager for the City of Gulf Shores, said the third lane will end as a right-turn-only lane at West 1st Street, at the north end of the bridge.

Once the third lane opens, the interior lane will see short-term closure as adjustments are made to the median to help traffic flow.

Pedestrians and bicyclists can continue over the bridge as they do now until the pedestrian bridge is built, which is set for November this year.

Three lanes of traffic will open on the W.C. Holmes Bridge after the pedestrian bridge is open, successfully wrapping up the first phases of the Hwy. 59 expansion project.

“The next phase will be a separate contract; it will go from Target north almost to the shopping center where Island Wing Company is located,” Pippin said. “That contract will be led by ALDOT this summer, with construction starting after Labor Day.”

Additional improvements to the city's traffic infrastructure, he said, include a lane added for a northbound right turn onto Cotton Creek Drive, or County Road 4, and intersection improvements and road widening on County Road 6 and Hwy. 59, which is part of a county-wide initiative.