MUMBLINGS March 31, 2005

How many years will it take for Baldwin County to exceed Mobile County in total population? With the help of the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, the following figures will be of interest to you.

In 1990, Baldwin's population was 98,280 and Mobile, 378,643. In this decade from 1990 to 2000, the rate of growth for Baldwin was 3.635 percent per year and Mobile .546. This gave Baldwin a population of 140,415 and Mobile 399,843. Using this decade as a growth rate, the estimation by now, 2005 is Baldwin 167,835 and Mobile 410,879.

By 2029 Baldwin is estimated to have 395,126 and Mobile 468,240.

Using the same growth rate, Baldwin will exceed Mobile in 2035 when Baldwin will have 489,440 and Mobile 483,791.

Using a more conservative figure as estimated by Woods and Poole, a nationally known firm, it will take a little longer, until 2057 when the Baldwin population will be 516,202 and Mobile 511,458.

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Last week the suggestion was made that with Baldwin County's progress and rapid growth, additional problems will be created. Education was mentioned and fortunately, Superintendent Dr. Faron Hollinger and members of our county Board of Education are facing this problem and doing something about it.

What are some of the additional problems we are facing because of this rapid growth? Obviously, education will continue to be a problem and with all the additional students, it will be hard to stay ahead of their needs.

Also, one of our present problems is transportation. Unfortunately, this will get worse before it will get better.

Even now, some of our main north-south and east-west roads are often jammed, especially early mornings and late evenings and special holidays. Highway 59 from Loxley south is getting worse and worse. Same with Highway 98 from Spanish Fort south through Fairhope around through Foley and to the Florida line.

Some relief will be given from 59 when Highway 83, Foley Beach Express, is completed all the way to I-10. Fortunately, Congressman Jo Bonner has announced $10 million is being approved by Congress to finalize this completion. Even so, it will take a few more years before the highway is complete.

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The same situation is true with Highway 27 from I-10 South through Belforest to intersect Highway 98 near Magnolia Springs. Baldwin County has put up their part of the money to get this $200 million project underway. However, it will be several years before it is complete.

Of course the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach road, is almost impassable much of the time. How this crowded condition is to be relieved is yet to be decided. Much of it is already five lanes.

By the time the Foley Express Highway is completed to I-10, you can rest assured it and 59 will still be overcrowded and another North-south highway will be badly needed in the eastern part of Baldwin County. This means that the Orange Beach Bridge across the Intercostal Canal will be badly needed. As of yet, funds are not available for this, even though the officials in Orange Beach have agreed to put up a substantial amount if the state and the federal government will do their part. Even if the money were available at this time, it would probably be 10 years before the project could be useful by overcrowded traffic.

Most people are in favor of growth but some are not. So thus, we can rest assured problems, as well as opportunities, are going to continue to be many.

The fact that only the above highways have been mentioned doesn't mean other roads in the county don't need expanding. So our transportation problems offer a lot of opportunities for wise and diligent planning and solving.

See you again soon, I hope.