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Council approves downtown street-optimization contracts, members ask engineers to consult businesses over parking and traffic
Summary
The Mobile City Council approved contracts and resolutions for a downtown street-optimization project that will convert several one-way streets to two-way traffic and fund resurfacing, striping and signal work. Councilmembers asked staff and engineers to consult local businesses and residents about parking and curb impacts.
The Mobile City Council on June 24 approved contracts for a downtown street-optimization effort that includes converting several one‑way streets to two‑way, resurfacing, striping and removal of some traffic signals.
“We just passed the street optimization plan for downtown, which, changes, several streets from 1 way to 2 way,” Councilmember Carol said during council announcements.
The council packet listed resolutions authorizing contracts with Asphalt Services for downtown resurfacing and striping (resolution 21-861) and McElhaney Construction for downtown street‑optimization signal removal (resolution 21-862). Those resolutions were moved, seconded and approved during the meeting.
Why it matters: the conversion to two‑way streets is intended to slow traffic and make downtown streets more walkable, officials said. Councilmember Carol said the goal is to make streets “more comfortable, making them slower, making them walkable and safe.”
Concerns and follow-up: Carol acknowledged “some discussion this morning as to the avail of the streets and the width and, maybe a little bit of traffic congestion that will be caused” and said she had asked the administration and city engineers to meet again with area residents and business owners to identify tweaks that can be made during construction to reduce parking and access impacts.
The council also approved related procurement items in the consent package, including street‑sweeper equipment and vehicle purchases listed in the agenda materials. No council member proposed delaying the projects at the June 24 meeting.
What was not decided: The council did not provide an amended budget or specific dates for construction during the June 24 meeting; staff and engineers were asked to conduct follow-up outreach and consider changes during implementation.
