Controversial traffic signal activated at busy highway interchange

A controversial traffic signal is now active at a busy highway interchange connecting East Alabama to Columbus, GA. Hundreds of commuters have vented over the new traffic pattern to the Alabama Department of Transportation’s Southeast Region since the light was installed.

According to ALDOT beginning today, July 30,2026 a No Turn on Red restriction will take effect for drivers turning right from US-280 West onto US-80 East (JR Allen Parkway) in Phenix City. Because the flashing yellow arrow provided little benefit to the right-turn movement, motorists must now stop and wait for a green signal before turning onto US-80 East (JR Allen Parkway).

ALDOT crews began modifying the traffic signal at US-280 and US-80 in Phenix City Tuesday evening, July 21, 2026, as part of a larger construction project in the area that began last September.

Drivers have flocked to social media complaining about the hazards created by the new traffic pattern and the change from a flashing yellow light to a no turn on red light. “You took something that was bad and made it worse. Then couple days later said hold my beer watch this,” wrote one commentator on ALDOT’s Facebook page.

“Alabama DOT didn’t fix the problem they created a worse congestion problem just in the opposite direction,” another driver posted about the project. The $2 million project was awarded to McElhenney Construction Co., LLC, out of Mobile, Ala., who had the lowest bid that met the project requirements according to ALDOT.