FOLEY, Ala. — A small group of Foley residents turned out at the Foley Civic Center Tuesday night to discuss the city’s plan to extend Pride Drive and improve Juniper Street.

With maps peppered throughout the center, Foley city leaders and representatives of Volkert were on hand to answer questions and hear concerns and suggestions for the ATRIP project In addition, a formal question-and-comment session was held at the projects second public-involvement meeting. Most comments were positive, with questions concerning traffic and drainage issues.

Also, at that time Andrew James of Volkert broke down the project’s anticipate schedule, which includes anticipation of starting construction in May. He explained that the purpose of the endeavor has three facets.

“To address existing design inadequacies, to improve vehicular and pedestrian and bicycle acess and to increase the capacity of the existing transportation network in the southeastern quadrant of Foley.

One issue that did get a lot of attention was the impact that these changes would have on drainage ditches in the area.

“We actually have a bridge,” said Victoria Place President Martha Newnan. “We certainly don’t want to have drainage issues.”

Others asked similar questions about areas near the project, offering the suggestion of adding concrete piping in some areas.

“We’re going to take that under advisement,” James said, adding that one aspect of the project is to redirect drainage back to their historically natural paths.

While those present expressed support of the improvements, some also voiced their concern about increased traffic that would follow.

“If traffic picks up, will another traffic study be done and will the possibility of a light out at Tanger in the back be considered?” Newnan asked.

James said the issue would be monitored and an additional traffic study would be conducted, as needed.

The work is expected to be completed by March 2015. As previously reported, the endeavor was funded by an 80/20 grant from the Alabama Department of Transportation, with the city of Foley required to fund $4 million of the project.

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PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS

• On Juniper Street, widening from Beck Road to County Road 20 to three lines and adding 10-foot multi-use paths on both sides of the street.
• From Alabama Highway 59 east to Juniper Street, extending Pride Drive with four, 12-foot lanes, a 16-foot raised center median with a curb and gutter and a six-foot sidewalk and four-foot grassed greenway on both sides of the road.
• From Juniper Street east to the first roundabout, providing the same Pride Drive extension and adding a landscape buffer along the north side of the road.
• From the first roundabout south to County Road 20, continuing that same Pride Drive extension and repeating the previously mentioned sidewalk and greenway on both sides of the road.