Foley is advancing its efforts to enhance pedestrian connectivity with plans to build additional sidewalks along Alabama 59, linking East Pride Drive and Azalea Avenue.

Foley City Council recently accepted an $800,000 grant from the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), administered by the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT). The grant will cover roughly two-thirds of the estimated $1.2 million project, which aims to extend sidewalks and create a continuous network along the busy thoroughfare.

"This will complete the connectivity on Highway 59," Mayor Ralph Hellmich said. "I know this has been something that we've been asking for for years, and we were successful."

Hellmich also pointed to the city's previous success with TAP funding, which helped finance sidewalks near Ninth Avenue, improving access around Foley schools.

"We got that project completed enough to where we can proceed with this one," Hellmich said. "That was a very good grant that will allow us to do this work."

The council approved Capstone Engineering to design the new sidewalks, a process that requires ALDOT approval before construction bids can be solicited. Hellmich said similar TAP projects have taken up to two years to gain state approval, but with funding secured, Foley is moving forward.

In addition to grant-funded projects, Foley is investing municipal resources in expanding its pedestrian infrastructure. The city allocated $1 million for sidewalks in its current fiscal year, which began Oct. 1, following a similar investment in the previous budget.

Recent sidewalk projects funded by the city include walkways on North Cedar Street and Hickory Street. Foley is also constructing sidewalks in the Mills community and has plans to extend sidewalks westward on Fern Avenue from Cedar Street.