FOLEY – The City of Foley is continuing its work with state highway officials to improve traffic flow by upgrading and coordinating traffic signals across the city.
The Foley City Council approved plans to modernize traffic lights along Miflin Road between Alabama 59 and Alabama 161. The upgrades are part of an ongoing partnership between the City of Foley and the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) to better coordinate signals on major corridors.
Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the city began working with ALDOT more than a year ago to address traffic concerns and improve signal timing.
“This effort grew out of the project the council approved in 2024 to participate in signal coordination citywide,” Hellmich said. “Each improvement may seem incremental, but every step helps address complaints about unnecessary red lights. The newer technology provides better control and responsiveness, and that’s a real benefit for drivers.”
City Engineer Taylor Davis said Foley and ALDOT have identified aging infrastructure as a key issue on Miflin Road.
“The three signals on Miflin Road are at least 10 years old,” Davis said. “The technology is outdated, parts are harder to find, and there are far better options now for vehicle detection and signal synchronization. That’s where ALDOT’s involvement is especially valuable.”
Once upgraded, the Miflin Road signals will be connected to the coordinated system that already manages more than 20 traffic lights along Alabama 59, U.S. 98 and Alabama 161. Alabama 161 is the designation assigned by ALDOT to the Foley Beach Express after the state assumed responsibility for the roadway earlier this year.
The coordinated system is part of ALDOT’s Regional Traffic Operations (RTOP) program, which uses traffic cameras, radar and cellular technology to monitor conditions and adjust signal timing in real time.
In addition to signal improvements, the city is moving forward with the first phase of the Miflin Road Access Management Plan. This phase includes construction of a median from Alabama 59 to Juniper Street. Riviera Utilities will also install street lighting along the median.
The project is expected to take up to four months to complete. While individual lanes may be closed at times during construction, Miflin Road will remain open throughout the project.