Seven Projects Changing the Face of Eastern Shore
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
April 14, 2026
DAPHNE, Ala. At least seven major projects are in the works for the Eastern Shore area of Baldwin County that will change the look and feel of that area forever.
While many of these could be an inconvenience to some, for others it’ll be a commuter’s nightmare and it’ll be the most expensive public works project in Alabama’s history with a price tag of estimated at $3.2 billion to $3.5 billion.
The new I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway is now scheduled to begin construction before the end of the year and last for at least three years.
The much needed six lane bridge will rise above the water and carry traffic east and west with an expectation of alleviating the frequent gridlocks during peak periods of commuter traffic as well as keeping commercial traffic, especially big rigs moving.
Meanwhile in Daphne, new businesses and residential communities continue to pop up throughout the city and the rest of Eastern Shore.
A new 900 home development is proposed for the head of Fish River along County Road 64 on 510 acres that is zoned R-1, for low-density single-family houses.
The project has a final vote in May.
And just recently announced for Daphne is a new project, known as the Italian Village, being planned near Highway 181 and County Road 64 which will also include a Neighborhood Walmart and luxury apartments.
If approved, this complex would be built on nearly 35-acres of what was until recently, agriculture land.
This project seems destined to be approved within weeks and could start construction almost immediately.
Daphne Mayor Robin LeJeune also announced earlier this year that a new $30 million Fortuna Hotel would be coming to Old Town Daphne. The hotel, with a restaurant and shops would be built in the historic area charm and is expected to open around 2029.
The city of Spanish Fort has also seen upgrades along the causeway and a new park currently is being built near the Tensaw River Bridge. Valor Park is a 2-acre, $3.2 million waterfront park on the Causeway near Felix’s Fish Camp that honors our veterans.
Also happening on the western side of Baldwin County are the developments of two major new master-planned 18-hole championship golf communities in Spanish Fort and in Fairhope.
The Longleaf Golf Club and Residences is located on a 1,650-acre site near Highway 225, and the project features a designed-in-place course, over 1,500 residential units, a clubhouse, pickleball courts, and a large animal sanctuary.
And just a few miles away in Fairhope, The Point Clear Club is a new, exclusive 547-acre private golf community under development near Fairhope/Point Clear, featuring an 18-hole championship course designed by Tom Fazio.
Located south of Fairhope just off Hwy 98, it includes 300+ residential homesites, a clubhouse designed by Nequette Architecture & Design, tennis, and pool facilities.
The Eastern Shore area of Baldwin County that was once known for its quaint small post card towns along the Mobile Bay, has grown to be a place where want to live, work and play.
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