Construction crews will activate the traffic signals for the new reduced conflict U-turn intersection, or RCUT, on Georgia 34 at Glenda Trace, east of Newnan, at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 30, 2019. 

Over the past four weeks, the crews have installed the RCUT intersection with its specially-designed median, as well as an additional safety feature: the traffic signals.

A Reduced Conflict U-Turn, or RCUT, is installed to reduce angle collisions at an intersection involving a divided highway. A specially-shaped median is installed to prevent dangerous left turns or straight-through traffic. Those motorists will then instead turn right into the flow of traffic and utilize a designated down-road U-turn that keeps them driving within the flow of traffic as they maneuver to where they need to go. RCUTs decrease congestion by allowing traffic to flow through the area in all directions, yet they reduce opportunities for collisions by keeping all motorists within the flow of traffic. Nationally, intersections that have installed RCUTs have seen a 70 percent reduction in fatal crashes and a 42 percent reduction in injury accidents.

For this 'signalized' RCUT, motorists on Georgia 34's divided highway who need to turn left onto Glenda Trace or Ace Drive will use designated turn lanes with sensors to activate the traffic signals. The lights will stop opposing traffic and allow the drivers to make safe left-hand turns. The traffic signals will only affect left-hand turns from Georgia 34 and will not stop traffic at the intersection for any other reason. Drivers turning onto Georgia 34 from Glenda Trace or Ace Drive will not be directed by the signals, but are advised to still be cautious when entering the state highway.