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Traffic Light Or ‘Restricted Crossing U-Turn’? Meeting Today On Highway 29, Highway 196 Options
September 15, 2026
UPDATE — There was a big turnout for the meeting. We’ll take a look at that in any upcoming story. No action was taken, and no decision was made today. That will come after the public comment period ends.
The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting this evening to gather input on proposed safety improvements along Highway 29 at Highway 196 (Barrineau Park Road). Area residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on two alternatives being considered for the intersection: a traditional traffic signal or a Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT).
The Florida Department of Transportation is considering two options for a Highway 29 safety project at Highway 196 (Barrineau Park Road). One option is a traditional traffic signal, and the other is called an RCUT (Restricted Crossing U-Turn) intersection that would force vehicles to make U-turns on Highway 29 to cross over.
Traffic Signal
The traffic signal option is very straightforward; keep the intersection as it is now and install a traffic signal. Current drawings for the traffic signal option show the current turn lane on Highway 29, and no additional turn lanes on Highway 196.
RCUT (Restricted Crossing U-Turn)
An RCUT design would use a concrete barrier to close the median and prevent Highway 196 drivers from crossing over Highway 29. Drivers on Highway 196 would be required to turn right onto Highway 29 and use a designated U-turn location to reach the other side.
Click here for more design images.
Timetable
Both alternatives are at the 60% design phase, with final design of the chosen design anticipated in early 2027. The development process is currently in the design phase with construction of the final design anticipated in 2027-2028 and completion in 2028. Both design and construction are funded.
Public Meeting
FDOT will hold a hybrid public meeting with attendance either in person or virtually this evening, Tuesday, September 15, 2026, from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. at Victory Assembly of God at 1895 Victory Road (just south of the Highway 29 and Highway 196 intersection). The same materials will be presented in both formats.
Registration, Public Comment
- To register to attend, click here.
- For an interactive map, click here.
- To submit public comment, click here.
Click any image to enlarge.
Comments
11 Responses to “Traffic Light Or ‘Restricted Crossing U-Turn’? Meeting Today On Highway 29, Highway 196 Options”
Mississippi is putting the RCUTs in on US-45 (and probably elsewhere in the state), and they really seem to work well.
Once the Aldi opens, I could see one of those going in at 29 and South Tate School Road. Not enough traffic for a red light, but it’s too dangerous to cross 29 at that crossing.
Really, think on this
Both left turns off of 29 gets a full stop sign with cameras ticketing those that dont fully stop. I have wanted to pull out onto 29 to only have a car quickly turn onto 196 at high rate of speed with no signal
STOP SIGNS ONLY!
As others have said. Doesn’t matter what they put in place. Careless, distracted, ignorant drivers will still cause multiple wrecks at this intersection. Just like the light at Atmore cutoff. I personally watched a northbound driver turn left in front of a southbound semi. Whose cab was already in the intersection. At the last second they swerved to miss the truck and almost hit me. I was stopped on 97 first at the light. Waiting for the light to turn so I could turn north onto 29. That flashing yellow turn signal needs to be shut off. People see yellow and think they can go. Thinking well its not red. Just my thoughts.
U-turns will work with a light . Go to Orange beach and see for yourself, even fire trucks and eighteen wheelers can turn. (Planning)
Atmore Hwy / no right on red turning off 97 onto Hwy 29. I bet that would stop half the accidents.
I say No on the U turn and Yes to a traffic light. To prevent accidents have the north and south lights have a 30 second delay before turning the east and west lights turn green. And then the same for the opposite sides. Speeders and less FDLE on the road will not always solved the problem but having a delay in the changing of the lights will drivers a little extra time to see all around.
What we need are some junior law officers, one at each bad intersection, to ticket every offender, every time. Running the light is the main problem at every intersection in the county.
Unfortunately, several crosses are planted on both sides of Highway 29. The main problem seems to be people not stopping East and West. The Highway 29 intersection was improved a long time ago.
I still vote for a third option:
(1) Flashing red/yellow caution light
(2) Flashing red stop signs for Eastbound/Westbound traffic
(3) Trimming the trees back on the corners
Due to the way for entry into the store (I live up here) there should be a NEW light for uturns so the accidents are reduced–with the traffic from the casino drivers are looking for 29S traffic that isnt going to change-except for more traffic in the future-so think outside the box!! 2 lnorth bound lanes for turns into and around the left turn stopped traffic
@SW
Spot on!
I have an idea: maybe a traffic circle at highway speed! Makes as much sense.
Remember, this is a plan by those who have been rebuilding the I-10/US29 interchange for years.
Good grief.
We’ll end up with a traffic light and a U-turn.
It is NOT going to matter what you do through here as there will still be wrecks! People need to pay attention, get off their phones and drive. You cannot expect folks to do a U turn into traffic already moving 65-80 through there. Same with a traffic light- they will run it just like the one at Atmore crossroads! It didn’t make things better- it presented a challenge- let me see if I can beat this light! I mean nothing will get better until people put the phones and tablets down and actually pay attention to the roads!
U turn with log trucks, and other freightliners, think it thru a little bit