Phase 3 – Dauphin Island Causeway

The Dauphin Island Causeway project has three phases. In 2024 the Mobile County Commission constructed segmented breakwaters along 3.5 miles of the Dauphin Island Causeway (Phase 1). In 2025 through early 2026, the USACE Mobile District placed 900,000 cubic yards of dredged material beneficially from the dredging of the Choctaw turning basin of the Mobile Ship Channel (Phase 2). Phase 3 of the project will further enhance the placed material into marsh habitat, and will commence in Fall 2026- Spring 2027. The newly established marsh platform is currently settling. Once this dewatering and settling has occurred, the 100-acre site will be enhanced into a more natural marsh
habitat through creation of tidal creeks and planting of native marsh grasses. Gaps in the breakwaters will allow for tidal flow in and out of the restored marsh, providing a habitat for species such as shrimp, crabs, fish, and birds. In the Fall of 2026, equipment will reshape the fill material to make the area more conducive for marsh habitat and tidal creeks to form. Bird habitat will be created at strategic locations around the restoration site. Oyster shell will be used to enhance oyster settlement in the area. In Spring 2027, plantings will be added to jump start the natural establishment of plants. The site will take approximately 3-5 years for the vegetation to fully establish. Funding for this project
was provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund and Emergency Coastal Resilience Fund.