More traffic control traffic lights coming to State Highway 181
DAPHNE Ala.
September 8th, 2024
On September 1st, we released the second installment of a three-part series about State Highway 181 and its traffic problems, and almost a week later, it was announced that three new traffic lights were coming to the stretch of road that we highlighted in our news article.
A pure coincidence I’m sure, but it is a much-needed measure of safety for all of the residents and drivers who must drive State Highway 181 daily.
The three new traffic lights are planned for the busy stretch of State Route 181 that was widened to four lanes in Baldwin County.
Daphne Mayor Robin LeJeune says people complain it’s dangerous pulling out of their neighborhoods onto the highway. That’s why he’s been pushing to add a light where Corte Road and Austin Road intersect with 181.
“It’s a safety issue. We know that 181 with the four-lane widening, and all the work they’ve done out there has really got a lot more traffic, the growth we’ve had out there, Jubilee Farms, a lot of new neighborhoods. And so we need to have that break for people to get out of their neighborhood safely,” said LeJeune.
LeJeune says a temporary light will be added in spring 2025. Once all the backordered equipment is in, a permanent light should be in place in 2026. In time, he says, for the new elementary school Baldwin County Public Schools plans to open in fall 2027 at a cleared site on Corte Road.
“We want to make sure we get ahead of that before school traffic starts right there also,” said LeJeune.
Two miles south, two more traffic lights are planned. ALDOT says developers of the 350-unit Rockwell Place Apartments near State Route 104 will add a light at their expense. That will also go in spring of next year. ALDOT says developers will pay for a third light at the Harvest Green East and West subdivisions, where 375 homes are expected to be built.
“That will go in based on occupancy, and the way the contract reads, the permit reads is after the 186th home is occupied, then they’re required to put that signal in,” said ALDOT spokesperson James Gordon.
Gordon says the light at Corte and Austin Road will cost about $800,000. Federal funds cover 80%. Daphne and ALDOT split the rest.
