Foley City Council approved plans to modernize traffic lights along Miflin Road between Alabama 59 and Alabama 161, continuing a coordinated effort with the Alabama Department of Transportation to improve traffic flow on major corridors across the city.

The upgrades extend a joint initiative that began more than a year ago and builds on a city project approved in 2024 to synchronize traffic signals citywide. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the work is designed to address persistent complaints about inefficient signal timing while giving the city more control over traffic operations.

“It's all born out of that project that y'all approved in 2024 to participate on signals all across the city,” Hellmich told council members. “It's an incremental increase, but every time we make another step, it helps fix those complaints that you get about how that signal is turning red and nobody is there. It’s more modern, There is more control. This is really a good thing.”

City Engineer Taylor Davis said the three existing signals on Miflin Road are outdated and increasingly difficult to maintain, prompting the need for upgrades and closer coordination with ALDOT.

“The three signals that we have on that road are at least 10 years old,” Davis said. “The technology is no longer up to date. The infrastructure is harder to get parts for. There's much better technology for detection and synchronization of the timing plan. This is where ALDOT comes in.”

Once upgraded, the Miflin Road signals will be integrated into a system that already coordinates more than 20 traffic lights along Alabama 59, U.S. 98 and Alabama 161 within Foley. Alabama 161 is the designation assigned by ALDOT to the Foley Beach Express after the state assumed control of the highway earlier this year.

The coordinated network operates under the state’s Regional Traffic Operations program, known as RTOP. The system uses traffic cameras, radar and cellular equipment to link signals and adjust timing in response to real-time traffic conditions.

In addition to the signal improvements, the city is moving ahead with access upgrades along Miflin Road. The first phase of the Miflin Road Access Management Plan calls for construction of a median from Alabama 59 to Juniper Street. Riviera Utilities will install street lighting along the new median to enhance visibility and safety.

The access management project is expected to take up to four months to complete. Davis said drivers should expect occasional lane closures during construction, but Miflin Road will remain open throughout the project.