Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Work on Miflin Road in south Foley is now underway and may impact traffic over the next several weeks. Crews are beginning a series of improvements to make the busy corridor safer and more efficient. The road serves a growing commercial area and sees heavy daily traffic. City officials say the goal is to reduce congestion and enhance long-term mobility along the route.

The project involves the section of Miflin Road between Alabama 59 and South Juniper Street. Plans include adding turn lanes, curbs, and other improvements to enhance safety and traffic flow along the commercial corridor. The work is expected to take three to four months, depending on weather and construction conditions. City officials want to complete the project before the start of the summer tourist season.

Miflin Road has long been known for heavy traffic and frequent accidents. The road has multiple conflict points where vehicles turn, merge, or cross, leading to congestion and crashes. To address these issues, city officials adopted a management plan for the route several years ago. The current construction is a key step in implementing that plan.

One major change will be removing the center median turn lane along much of the route. City staff says eliminating that lane should help reduce congestion and decrease conflict points in the commercial area. In its place, engineers designed a more controlled system for turns and crossings. The goal is to keep traffic flowing while still allowing access to businesses on both sides of the road.

As part of that design, the project will add a mid-block U-turn area within 1,000 feet of Alabama 59. The new feature will provide drivers with a designated place to cross the street or change direction. Officials say this change should be safer than the current pattern of turn movements scattered along the road. It is meant to assist both local traffic and visitors unfamiliar with the area.

The work also includes curb improvements and other roadside enhancements along Miflin Road. These upgrades aim to organize traffic flow, improve drainage, and facilitate maintenance. Although some lanes may be closed during construction, the road is planned to stay open throughout the project. Drivers might experience shifting traffic patterns and are advised to exercise caution in the work zone.

City officials met with business owners along the corridor during the development of the plan. In those meetings, staff discussed the proposed changes and listened to feedback from operators. Comments from local businesses were included in the project review and helped shape parts of the design. The city states that cooperation will help balance safety needs with business access.

Foley leaders value the community’s support as the work advances. The city of Foley thanks residents, business owners, and motorists for their patience and cooperation while these improvements are made to boost safety and long-term mobility along Miflin Road. Officials are asking drivers to allow extra travel time, watch for workers and equipment, and follow posted signs. They emphasize that short-term inconveniences now will result in a safer, more efficient road in the future.