Safety upgrades are underway at the intersection of Baldwin County 65 and Airport Road after the City of Foley acquired the site from Baldwin County, prompted by a string of fatal accidents.

Foley City Council voted June 2 to take over the section of County 65 that includes the troubled intersection. Three people were killed in two separate crashes at the location in the past 14 months.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the city is moving quickly to make improvements.

"It will become a well-lighted four-way stop," Hellmich said. "We've lowered the speed limit on 65 because as you approach a four-way stop, you should be slowing down. We will also add street lighting to make sure that it's very well lighted."

In addition to the stop and lighting, the city plans to install new signage and other safety features designed to slow traffic and alert drivers to pedestrians and other vehicles.

"There have been a lot of accidents at that intersection over the past 20 years, and it's time that it's upgraded," Hellmich said. "It doesn't warrant a signal, but it did warrant some safety upgrades, and so Foley was taking that over."

The improvements also include a sidewalk crossing that will connect the Mills Community with other areas of Foley to the east.

"It will eventually tie back down Fern Avenue all the way into our sidewalk trail system," he said.

The transfer includes 1,936 feet of County 65, stretching from 620 feet north of the intersection to 1,316 feet south. The Foley Public Works Department will now mow the right of way along the acquired road.

Council also voted to reduce the speed limit on its section of County 65 from 45 mph to 35 mph. Although speed limit changes typically require two votes at separate meetings, the council suspended normal rules to enact the change immediately.

"The community is anxious to see some changes," Councilman Charles Ebert III said. "There have been some problems at that intersection, it's a public safety issue."

Councilwoman Vera Quaites said residents wanted the city to step in and address the problem.

"The community will be happy about that," she said.