Mobile County Commission Awards $6.5 Million Contract for Cedar Point Boat Launch

Posted on: May 26th, 2026 | Announcements Featured News Press Releases

Images: renderings of the new Cedar Point Boat Launch once completed

MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. – The Mobile County Commission awarded a $6.5 million contract in May for construction of the Cedar Point Boat Launch, a major coastal access project in south Mobile County that will improve public boating access and enhance safety for the area’s commercial oyster industry.

The contract was awarded to M.D. Thomas Construction, LLC. Engineering and design for the project were provided by Moffatt & Nichol.

The project is funded through State of Alabama Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) grants awarded by Gov. Kay Ivey; it will be completed at no cost to Mobile County taxpayers.

Located across State Route 193 from Cedar Point Pier at 18250 Dauphin Island Parkway in Coden, the following features will be constructed at the site over the next 12 months:

two-lane boat ramp and finger piers for up to ~30-foot bay boat access
Sheet pile protection for entrance into the boat ramp
Surface parking lot for 38 truck-trailers and 25 single-car parking spaces
Improved lighting of the site
A dedicated location for ADCNR Marine Resources Division’s oyster management station

In addition to expanding recreational access to coastal waters, the new Cedar Point Boat Launch will improve safety for the local oyster industry. The facility will include a dedicated dock and location for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Marine Resources Division oyster management station, eliminating the need for commercial oystermen to report and offload their catch along the shoulder of Dauphin Island Parkway. The project is expected to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety for both the fishing community and motorists.

“This is another example of Mobile County Commission working alongside the State to improve quality of life for the people of Mobile County. By utilizing offshore natural gas royalties, the Mobile County Commission, Gov. Ivey, and Commissioner Blankenship continue to create endless opportunities for residents and visitors alike, without using local tax dollars, said Mobile County Commissioner Randall Dueitt, who represents District 3. “This project not only improves public access to our natural resources but also creates a safer, more functional space for the commercial fishermen who have worked these waters every season for generations.”

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship said the project fills an important need along Mobile County’s coastal corridor and complements nearby investments the Mobile County Commission has made with GOMESA and various Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill restoration investments, including Cedar Point Pier, Bayfront Park, and the Dauphin Island Causeway Shoreline Restoration Project.

“Cedar Point Boat Launch is another strong example of how the State of Alabama and Mobile County Commission are using GOMESA funds to create lasting public benefits,” said Blankenship. “Partnerships like this help protect quality of life, improve public access to the water, and support the future growth of coastal Alabama.”

Construction of the Cedar Point Boat Launch is expected to begin in early June and should take about one year.