ALDOT grant continues expansion of walkways in Foley

FOLEY, Ala. ( WKRG ) — A state grant will help pay for the continued expansion of walkways for pedestrians in Foley.

Along with the expansion, the city is seeking additional funding from the Alabama Department of Transportation for intersection improvements on the Foley Beach Express.

The Alabama Department of Transportation approved a grant of $800,000 for more sidewalks. The federal Transportation Alternatives Programs will provide the grant.

“That’s really good news for us,” Hellmich said.

The timing of this project depends on when the state provides funding. The city is moving forward with this project.

The Foley City Council approved a budget for $1 million for sidewalk projects for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, beginning Oct 1. In the 2023-2024 budget, the city council approved $1 million for walkways.

On Monday, Sept. 16, the council voted to apply for a state grant to help with intersection improvements on the Beach Express. City officials are seeking funds through the Highway Safety Improvement Program.

The roads that are planned to be improved are the Beach Express intersection with Baldwin County 12, Baldwin County 20 and US 98.

The city is working to widen the Beach Express by adding safety shoulders before transferring the highway to the state.

City Administrator Mike Thompson said Foley is working on intersection improvements on the Beach Express. The city is working with ALDOT to improve state routes such as Alabama 59 and U.S. 98 that pass through Foley.

“With these three intersections, our goal is to try to complete all three of them in their entirety,” Thompson said. “Where they may need acceleration lanes if they’re not there yet, we’d include those. Where they may need a right-turn lane, we would include that. If one needs more lighting, we’d include that. But the idea is to get all three of those intersections completely enhanced.”

Hellmich said that the state is working with Foley to make other improvements on local highways. He said improvements should be completed on the widening of the Beach Express by the end of the year, and work will start soon on improvements on the Alabama 59 and Baldwin County 12 intersection.

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