Valley council to request traffic study at intersection
BY JOHN BRICE
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
VALLEY — Travis Carter and Donald Lancaster addressed the Valley City Council regarding the need for a crossing signal at the intersection of U.S. Highway 29 and Fob James Drive during Monday night’s meeting.
“For some reason when they repaved [Highway] 29 last year they took that crossing down,” Carter said. “So I called Mike Britton who works with the permitting department down in Auburn. He said ‘Let me check on it, I will get back with you.’ He spoke with the engineer in Alex City, who said he didn’t think it was warranted to have a signal there. Mike called me back and told me that. The engineer did say if the city of Valley asked for a study to be done, the state would do a study to determine whether it was needed.”
Carter also addressed his public safety concerns.
“The church, New Dimensions, they purchased this property back in 2021,” he said. “They have a large gathering there. I have seen there on Sunday, they have a ton of people out there crossing. Anybody that crosses that highway as it is now is risking their life, literally. When they stop [at] 29 and Fob James Drive, two lanes are turning so, it is always traffic going across there. In addition to regular worship services, they have a lot of funerals, Sunday school and weddings. They have a lot of different events, so it is very important to them as well.
“What we are asking the city to do is to ask the state to do that study,” Carter continued. “When you ask them that, if you do, I will hope you get them to explain how they plan to do that. I am worried that if they do a study like, they do cars stretched down the road, you count the number of cars. I want to be sure that people like myself and my wife are counted. I would use a crossing if it was there as well as my brother and several other folks that I know.”
The council approved a motion for the city to file a formal request with the Alabama Department of Transportation to conduct a traffic study at that location.
In other business
- The council held a public hearing on the abatement of property located at 1609 31st. St.
- The council approved the consent agenda with a single motion which included the following:
• confirming the cost of abatement at 1609 31st St.
• the appointment of additional election officers for the municipal election
• the approval of public consumption of alcohol for a festival celebration and a music night to be held at the Valley Community Center by the Auburn-Opelika Volleyball Club on Sept. 20 and
• the acceptance of a five-year paving plan for Valley streets with an estimated cost of $4.2 million.
- The council approved a development contract and lot purchase agreement with Holland Homes. The estimated development cost of the project by Holland Homes is expected to be around $1.5 million.
- The council approved the purchase of real property located at Columbus Road and School Street from Johnny Yates for an amount of $150,000.
- The council approved an ordinance for the sale of real property at 230 Stanfield Road. The sale price of said property is $2,500.
- It as announced that city hall will be closed on Sept. 1 in observance of Labor Day.
- It was announced that there will be a special called council meeting at city hall on Sept. 2nd at noon to canvass the city election results.
- It was announced that the next regular council meeting will be held on Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
