DODGE CITY — The town of Dodge City provided residents with a brief update on its efforts to install traffic lights at some of the town’s major intersections along Alabama Hwy. 69 Thursday, April 10.

Traffic signals along Hwy. 69 have been a major request from Dodge City residents due to the high volume of traffic and the lack of visibility at some of the town’s most used intersections. Despite the support, their installation has remained outside the council’s control because the Alabama Department of Transportation is the controlling entity tasked with maintaining the highway.

Council members have regularly shared their communication with ALDOT, and Mayor Jason Burney has shared that the council has gone as far as to offer to pay for the light’s installation and maintenance. However, ALDOT has continued to deny the request due to the area not meeting their requirements. Burney shared a letter he received from ALDOT with the council in March once again denying the town’s request.

On Thursday, Burney said he had spoken to Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger about the issue and that Gudger had sent his director of constituent affairs, former District 11 Representative Randall Shedd, to take photographs of the highway. Burney said Shedd agreed to speak with ALDOT and expected to have a response within a few weeks.

Burney was hopeful that the interaction could lead to at least one red light at either the County Road 216 or 223 intersections.

In other business the council:

— Approved the numbering of each council seat.

— Announced it had reinvested a certificate of deposit account that had matured on March 19.

— Announced the Cullman County PALS spring cleanup would take place on Saturday, April 26, and that bags would be available at the town hall for anyone wanting to participate.

Patrick Camp may be reached by email at patrick.camp@cullmantimes.com or by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 238.