Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – The new roundabout on East Canal Road opened this morning,  Wednesday, September 13th, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing East Canal Road widening project. Motorists are advised to exercise caution when navigating the new traffic pattern, as vehicles within the roundabout will have the right of way and may use it for U-turns. In other words, traffic in the roundabout has the right-of-way from traffic entering the roundabout. 

The roundabout is part of a larger RESTORE grant project aimed at widening East Canal Road from Highway 161 to Wilson Boulevard. Initiated in September 2022, the project is designed to expand approximately 1.4 miles of the road to three lanes, including a middle turn lane. Following the roundabout's completion, construction will commence on a concrete median to its west.

In addition to the road widening and roundabout, a 10-foot multi-use path is under construction on the north side of East Canal Road, stretching between State Highway 161 and Wilson Boulevard.

Throughout the duration of the project, a speed limit of 25 mph will be strictly enforced within the construction zone to ensure the safety of all individuals involved.

Thompson Engineering serves as the project engineer, while John G. Walton Construction Company, Inc. holds the construction contract, valued at $7.36 million. The majority of the project's funding comes from the Resources and Ecosystem Sustainability, Tourism Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act), with a grant covering $5.9 million of the total cost.

The project is expected to reach completion before the spring of 2024.