Traffic Light or Restricted U-turn? Residents Voice Opinions On Highway 29, Highway 196 Intersection Safety Options

September 16, 2026

A large crowd gathered late Tuesday afternoon at a Florida Department of Transportation public meeting in Molino to weigh in on proposed safety improvements at the deadly Highway 29 at Highway 196 (Barrineau Park Road) intersection. Area residents had the opportunity to weigh in on two alternatives being considered for the intersection: a traditional traffic signal or a Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT).

FDOT is considering two options for the Highway 29 safety project at Highway 196 (Barrineau Park Road). One option is a traditional traffic signal, and the other is an RCUT (Restricted Crossing U-Turn) intersection that would force vehicles to make U-turns on Highway 29 to cross over.

For more photos (and design drawings), click here.

“We did a full look at the intersection, reviewed it to see what options that we had to particularly make the locations safer,” said Assistant District Traffic Operations Engineer Alana Webb, P.E. “Alternative one, we called it an R-cut. It’s a restricted U-turn crossing; it’s basically median modifications. The second alternative is for a traffic signal.”

“This is important to us, and I know it is important to you guys,” she told the crowd. “There’s pros, cons. Let’s kind of figure out what’s good, what’s going to work. You guys are the ultimate users…we want your input.”

“We are going to take everything back with us, and we are going to use that as part of the decision-making process to determine which alternative we move forward with,” Webb added.

When an attendee asked the crowd, which nearly filled the Victory Assembly of God Fellowship Hall, for a show of hands in favor of the traffic light, the light appeared to be a strong choice over the U-turn solution in the informal poll.

During the public meeting, area residents were able to look at displays showing the two options (as previously published on NorthEscambia.com), ask officials questions, and submit written public comments.

According to Kohen Johns Brannon with FDOT, a decision on the project design could come in a few weeks, after public comment is accepted through September 25. She said the project is set for 100% design by early 2027 with bids out for construction in late 2027. Under that timeline, construction will take place in late 2027 or early 2028. Both design and construction are funded.

To submit your public comment to FDOT, click here.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under TOP STORIES