Phase two of the Causeway Shoreline Restoration Project is officially underway, and it’s looking great already!
The project kicked off on Thursday and is set to tackle a longstanding challenge—erosion along State Highway 193, which connects Dauphin Island to the mainland.
With about 1,900 residents and countless visitors relying on this route, keeping it safe and secure is a big deal.
Keeping the Road (and Everyone on It) Safe
You know how storms can stir things up?
Well, erosion has been slowly eating away at the road into Dauphin Island, making it vulnerable to being washed out, especially during hurricanes.
Matthew Jones, Deputy Environmental Services Director for Mobile County, highlighted just how crucial this restoration work is.
He pointed out that this highway is literally the only way on and off the island during emergencies.
So, keeping it stable isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Restoring Nature’s Balance
This isn’t your average construction job.
Alongside making travel safer, the project has a green heart. It’s restoring marshland habitats between Bayfront Park and Cedar Point.
Imagine 800,000 cubic yards of dredged sand—that’s enough to fill nearly 100 football fields!
This will create a thriving home for marine wildlife, help stabilize the shoreline, and give nature a big helping hand in bouncing back.
It’s like pressing rewind, bringing the shoreline back to its 1917 glory.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Dauphin Island’s Mayor Jeff Collier is thrilled.
He says residents have supported this project from the start and are excited to finally see progress.
A lot of hands came together to make this happen—multiple agencies, environmental groups, and local leaders.
They’ve teamed up to ensure the island stays safe, accessible, and environmentally rich.
Mayor Collier summed it up perfectly, calling the benefits “tremendous.”
What’s Next?
Right now, phase two is all about laying down pipes to pump the dredge material into place.
It’s like preparing for a massive beach-building project, only this beach is marshland—a vital ecosystem for countless sea creatures.
Everything is moving quickly, and the team expects to wrap things up by fall.
By then, Dauphin Island’s causeway will be sturdier, safer, and surrounded by revitalized marshlands.
In short, this project is more than a roadway fix—it’s an investment in the environment, safety, and the future of Dauphin Island and its neighbors.
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