The City of Foley is moving forward with improvements to wayfinding signage at one of Baldwin County’s busiest intersections, enhancing both navigation and visual appeal.
The Foley City Council has approved a plan to update Scenic Byway signage at the intersection of Alabama 59 and U.S. 98 in downtown Foley. Through a partnership with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), the city will fund the fabrication of the new signs, while ALDOT will oversee installation.
City Engineer Taylor Davis explained that the current signage has been in place for many years and is showing signs of wear.
“The wayfinding signage at the intersection has been there for quite some time, and the signs are beginning to fade,” Davis said. “The city has worked closely with ALDOT over the years to develop and finalize a design that improves both function and appearance.”
In addition to replacing aging signs, the project aims to simplify the visual landscape at the intersection. Mayor Ralph Hellmich noted that reducing sign clutter has long been a priority.
“We’ve been working for years to minimize the number of signs at this busy location,” Hellmich said. “This plan strikes a good balance—there will still be necessary signage, but significantly less clutter, resulting in a cleaner and more attractive look.”
ALDOT officials have agreed that the updated system will effectively convey directional information while reducing the number of signs motorists encounter.
The new design is expected to cut the number of signs at the intersection by approximately half. For example, the southwest corner currently has six signs and directional markers; under the new plan, that will be reduced to three.
City officials also reviewed signage systems used in other municipalities when developing Foley’s updated approach, ensuring the design reflects best practices in both efficiency and aesthetics.