Relief in the Round: Double Roundabouts Coming to Valdosta’s Five Points

By Carol A. Gasser Moore

VALDOSTA, Lowndes County, Georgia – After years of frustration navigating the congested intersections at Five Points, drivers in Valdosta are on the verge of a major transformation that promises to ease traffic headaches and boost safety. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has awarded a $16 million contract to Reames and Son Construction Co. Inc. to build not one, but two multilane roundabouts in the heart of the city.

The infrastructure overhaul will replace two existing signalized intersections with modern roundabouts designed to keep traffic moving and dramatically reduce crash severity. Though construction timelines are still being finalized, GDOT anticipates the project to be completed by early 2029.

A Long-Awaited Solution

The Five Points area — a vital artery of State Route 7 Business — has long been a source of delays and accidents for local drivers. Now, city and state officials say relief is on the way.

“This is a major step forward in enhancing traffic safety and improving transportation in Valdosta,” said Mayor Scott James Matheson. “It’s a testament to the state’s commitment to infrastructure that supports growth and long-term sustainability.”

Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry echoed that optimism. “Roundabouts have been installed across Georgia and have proven to increase safety, improve mobility, and reduce congestion. We anticipate tremendous benefits for this vital area of one of Georgia’s great cities.”

The Details: What’s Being Built

The two roundabouts will each measure 170 feet in diameter and include a 12-foot truck apron to accommodate large vehicles. They will be constructed at the following key intersections:

• SR 7 Business/Ashley Street at SR 7 Alternate/Patterson Street/Smithbriar Drive/Brookfield Road

• SR 7 Business/North Valdosta Road at North Oak Street Extension

State Transportation Board member Tim Golden, who represents the 8th Congressional District, said the benefits will outweigh the temporary inconvenience.

“There will be short-term pain during construction, but this is a long-term mobility improvement for our city,” Golden said. “Roundabouts are not only safer but they help traffic flow more efficiently in high-volume areas like Five Points.”

Why Roundabouts?

Unlike traditional intersections with traffic lights, roundabouts are engineered to reduce points of conflict where vehicles might crash. With lower speeds and a continuous one-way flow, roundabouts virtually eliminate the risk of head-on and right-angle collisions.

Research backs the change: intersections that have been converted from traffic signals to roundabouts have seen more than a 40% reduction in total crashes, and injury-related crashes have dropped by over 65%, according to GDOT data.

Beyond safety, roundabouts also minimize delays — especially during morning and evening rush hours — by eliminating the stop-and-go pattern typical of traffic signals.

A New Landmark in the Making

Golden said the changes will do more than improve transportation. They’ll reshape the gateway to Valdosta.

“With Exit 22 and North Valdosta Road serving as a main entrance to our city, these roundabouts will become important, recognizable landmarks,” he said. “There will be a learning curve, but they address long-term goals for traffic control and community identity.”

Learn Before You Drive

To ease the transition, GDOT is offering educational resources — including videos and guides — to help drivers understand how to navigate the upcoming roundabouts.

Visit the Georgia DOT’s dedicated roundabout resource center at:
👉 www.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/pages/Roundabouts.aspx

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Construction Updates Will Follow: Lanier County News will continue covering this transformative project as developments unfold. Stay tuned for construction start dates, traffic detours, and safety updates in future issues.