FOLEY — The Juniper Street extension that will create a new Foley north-south route around much of Alabama 59 should be open within two months.

The intersection of Juniper Street and Miflin Road, Baldwin County 20, closed Monday, Sept. 18 to allow work to be completed. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said a detour will be in effect on the south end of Juniper until the project is complete.

"That will last about a month, month and a half, I believe," Hellmich said. "They are realigning the connection where Juniper Street goes into County Road 20, to be offset slightly and then once that is done, we should be able to get all the signals up."

He said officials expect to have the road open by Thanksgiving.

"That will be a new connector that people will be able to use to bypass the intersection of County Road 20 and 59," Hellmich said.

The project also includes the installation of new mast arms, mast arm poles and signal heads while the street is closed. New sidewalks on both sides of Juniper as well as curbs, gutters, a transition curb and the milling of transitions for the new paving will also be completed as part of the final phase of construction.

The extension will also improve access in an area where more commercial development is taking place. Construction is underway on at least two new hotels as well as other projects near Juniper.

The road also provides access to the Tanger Outlet on the east side as well as several other businesses in the area. During construction, local traffic will be allowed on the south section of Juniper to allow access to area businesses.

Construction began in 2022. McElhenny Construction received the contract for the project after the City Council accepted its bid of $4.53 million.

A materials shortage, including the mast arms for traffic signals delayed the completion of the project.

"It's been a little bit delayed, but we're getting there," Hellmich said.