DAPHNE, Ala. — Proposed improvements to the intersection at U.S. Highway 98 and County Road 64 in Daphne will require a total financial commitment by the City Council of almost $565,000 based on an agreement being sought by the Alabama Department of Transportation for the city to pay for maintenance of the traffic signal and its share of half the bill for the proposed $1 million project.

Randy Davis with Volkert and Associates Inc. presented the plan during Monday’s council work session and said the city is being asked to set aside $504,000 for the construction and the balance for the signal that ALDOT will install at a savings to the city of roughly $40,000 if leaders agree to assume ownership and maintenance.

The item will be presented as a first read during the council’s May 17 meeting and would be open for consideration during the June 7 meeting.

Council President August Palumbo requested that the city’s finance committee use the interim to provide councilors with an adequate snapshot of available funds to dedicate to the project, including any carryover from suspended progress on Whispering Pines improvements in anticipation of such a partnership with the state being forged.

District 6 Councilman Derek Boulware said his recollection is that $1.6 million was allocated for the Whispering Pines road improvements, but the council opted to complete work from County Road 13 to Pollard Road only, leaving a balance of $2 million in the fund and not including the city’s separate account that has accrued $500,000 for routine road repairs.

Palumbo also asked Davis the expected shelf-life of the project, indicating city leaders will not want to revisit the project five or even 10 years down the road considering the substantial investment, and Davis said the project was “designed for a 20-year capacity.”

Ashley Campbell, Daphne’s site containment officer, also asked council members to consider participating in a U.S. Fish and Wildlife assistance program that could direct funds to improvements at Yancey Branch.

Campbell said the total allocation for projects in the area would be capped at $300,000, and the proposed Yancey Branch improvements represent $109,000. The deadline to apply for the funds is May 23, and Campbell said there is no guarantee the project would receive any of the available funds to proceed, but she has been encouraged to apply because of the progress made in recent years to restore the sensitive area.

The four-pronged plan would restore the “dirt pit” that discharges into the creek “with every rain event;” implement  stormwater management and revegetation plan for the three-acre pit; continue invasive-species removal efforts for the entire Yancey Branch area; and plant native species in areas not already addressed by existing restoration efforts.

In other business, the council:

The next regular meeting of the City Council will begin at 6:30 p.m. May 17.