The roundabout on East Canal Road will open on Wednesday, September 13th in the morning. With this new traffic pattern, motorists are urged to use caution as vehicles in the roundabout will be using it as a U-turn and have the right of way.
Oncoming traffic to the roundabout must yield at all times for everyone’s safety.
The East Canal Road widening RESTORE grant project from Highway 161 to Wilson Boulevard began in September 2022 and continues to progress.
With the roundabout complete, the concrete median to its west will be constructed next.
The overall project will widen roughly 1.4 miles of East Canal Road to three lanes to allow for a middle turn lane. In addition to the road widening and roundabout, a 10-foot multi-use path is being constructed on the north side of the road between State Highway 161 and Wilson Boulevard.
Throughout the project, the speed limit will be 25 mph in the construction zone and will continue to be strictly enforced for the safety of everyone.
Thompson Engineering is the project engineer and John G. Walton Construction Company, Inc. was awarded the construction contract in the amount of $7.36 million. The majority of the cost for this project will be paid for with post-BP oil spill Resources and Ecosystem Sustainability, Tourism Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act) funds. The RESTORE grant will cover $5.9 million.
Project completion is anticipated to be prior to spring of 2024.
Video: Mayor Tony Kennon explains the reasoning behind the “infamous roundabout” on East Canal Road.