DAPHNE, Ala. — The Daphne City Council at its business meeting Monday unanimously adopted a resolution to support the “Smart Streets Sidewalks Project,” a national campaign to develop safe walkways in busy neighborhoods.

According to the resolution, the city will consider safe practices when “undertaking construction, reconstruction and repair of its roadways.”

Mayor Fred Small announced planned improvements for Whispering Pines Road and the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and Daphne Avenue. Small said work will begin shortly and the impact will be felt immediately.

“They are a couple of intersections that are really important to a lot of people,” Small said of the road improvements, adding that turn lanes will be created to improve traffic flow.

The U.S. Highway 98 and Daphne Avenue intersection will receive a new right-of-way and a right-hand-turn lane; the intersection will also be realigned.

Small said the Alabama Department of Transportation has been cooperating financially and strategically, adding that the department will match the necessary funding.

“That will greatly help and improve that intersection,” Small said.

In other business, the council:

The total cost of the project — which will develop sidewalks along County Road 13 — is $170,250.

The cost for the plans reportedly would not exceed $2,000.

Benjamin is a Daphne resident and runs a health clinic in Bayou La Batre, Ala.

Monday’s meeting was led by newly-elected Council Pro Tempore Cathy Barnette; recently-elected Council President August Palumbo was attending to an ill family member.