FULTONDALE — The Fultondale City Council called a meeting on Tuesday to approve a proposal from the Alabama Department of Transportation to install a traffic light at the intersection of Walker Chapel Road and I-65.

State Senator Shay Shelnutt and State Representative Allen Treadaway attended the meeting.

Approximately six months ago, the council approved a resolution asking the Shelnutt and Treadaway to intercede on their behalf at the state level, while city officials continued to push for approval of the light.

Fultondale Mayor Jim Lowery said the intersection had always been dangerous and said he remembered citizens wanted a light placed there when he was still serving as an administrator at the elementary school, prior to its relocation.

Initially, state DOT approval was withheld because there had not been a fatality at the intersection. Police Chief David Smith said at the time that his officers worked numerous serious accidents there each week and it was likely just a matter of time until there was a fatality.

The new agreement will allow the city to control the construction, expediting the process, according the city attorney Charlie Waldrep. The city will then invoice the state for the work. The agreement includes a $300,000 grant for the construction.

Treadaway commended the mayor and council for their focus and attention to the matter, as well as their willingness to work with others to accomplish the goal. As a Fultondale resident, he also called the decision to place a traffic light at the intersection a “no brainer” and said he was happy to help.

Shelnutt said he was also glad he was able to help the cause in some way.

The city said the final details would be ironed out over the coming weeks and then construction could begin on the lights.