Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — A dangerous intersection in Foley will soon undergo a redesign that city officials say is much needed.

The Foley City Council unanimously approved a resolution to accept the portion of County Road 65 in the area of Airport Road and Little Rock Road from the Baldwin County Commission.

The intersection has a history of deadly incidents. In April, two people on an electric scooter were hit and killed. In 2024, a hit-and-run crash claimed the life of a pedestrian.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich has been in talks with the county about what to do. 

The county approved the transfer of ownership, maintenance, and responsibility of the portion of roadway during its May 6 meeting.

Now that the city has approved that transfer, it will be responsible for 620 feet north of the intersection to 1,316 feet south of the intersection.

It will be turned into a four-way stop and lighting will be added.

Hellmich said the county conducted a study on the intersection that concluded the intersection was not busy enough for traffic signals, but he said stop signs on County Road 65 will make the area safer for vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

“Over the past 15 years, there have been people killed there, either running it or people going too fast or because it's too dark,” said Hellmich. “We've had pedestrians hit there. So, we felt, and that's why we approached the county, and we wanted to take it over from there.”

The council suspended the rules of the meeting to push through another ordinance reducing the speed limit in the area. Due to increased traffic and those previous incidents, the speed limit will be reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph.

“This enhances safety and hopefully will prevent any further serious wrecks or serious injury or death,” said Foley Public Safety Director David Wilson.

Hellmich said blinking lights will be added to alert drivers to the change.

The city will also maintain landscaping and grass-cutting in the area. A sidewalk crossing will be added after the city gains the required easements.