Foley Standardizing Speed Limits

Foley is changing speed limits in the southwest part of the city to make the regulations more consistent.

FOLEY – Speed limits are changing in some Foley neighborhoods in order to make the rate of travel more consistent along city streets.

The Foley City Council voted Monday, May 5, to give final approval to an ordinance standardizing speed limits in neighborhoods in the southwest quarter of the city. The council also voted to reduce the speed limit on James Road.

Wayne Dyess, Foley executive director for infrastructure and development, said the changes will make speed limits more consistent around the city.

“It was brought to our attention in the southeast quadrant that there were some inconsistencies in some of our streets that were really no different than other streets,” Dyess said. “We felt that we can go in and standardize that.”

The quadrant is bordered on the north by U.S. 98 and on the south by West Azalea Avenue. The eastern boundary of the section is South Alston Street. South Cedar Street marks the western edge of the area. The area includes Max Griffin Park, the Sarah Thompson Kids Park and the Foley municipal swimming pool.

Speed limits on streets in the area will include 20 miles an hour on Orange Avenue, Myrtle Avenue, Pedigo Avenue, Oak Street and Pine Street. Some streets near the parks will have 15 mile an hour speed limits, including Verbena Avenue and Roosevelt Avenue

Dyess said the city is looking at other areas of Foley to determine if speed limits should be adjusted as the area develops.

“We will continue to look at the remainder of the city,” Dyess said. “As we grow, traffic needs and uses are impacted and changed. This, to us, makes a lot of sense. It meets the needs of that area.”

The council also reduced the speed limit on James Road near the Cottages on the Greene subdivision from 35 miles an hour to 25. The speed limit will be reduced on a section of James Road that extends 1,380 feet north of the intersection of Baldwin County 12.

“James Road, for many years, was a dirt road, so people didn't speed too badly,” Dyess said. “Now it's a paved road, and it's adjacent to the Cottages on the Green, which is a very intensive development very close to the road. By slowing it down, it will make it a little bit safer through that subdivision.”