Drivers headed toward Apopka-Vineland Road (State Road (S.R.) 535) can expect to see a new intersection design. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has constructed innovative intersection modifications known as restricted crossing U-turns (RCUTs) to promote safety and mobility.

The RCUTs have been implemented at Apopka-Vineland Road from south of International Drive to south of Hotel Plaza Boulevard in the following locations:

• Vistana Drive.
• Vistana Centre Drive/Blue Heron Beach Drive.
• Meadow Creek Drive/Lake Vining Drive.
• Chick-fil-A/Holiday Inn driveway.

Motorists wishing to turn left or continue straight across Apopka-Vineland Road from one of these side streets will first turn right and then make a U-turn at the next median opening. Traffic signals at the intersection are synchronized to create an efficient traffic flow to make the U-turns easier. According to the Federal Highway Administration, RCUTs can reduce travel time by 40 percent, while the intersection can accommodate 30 percent more vehicles.

When FDOT designs roadways, safety is a top priority. RCUTs improve safety by reducing the number of conflict points, or the number of ways vehicles can cross paths. This significantly reduces the potential for serious crashes.

The improvements on Apopka-Vineland Road also include enhancements for pedestrians and bicyclists. Pedestrians are now able to cross diagonally, which decreases the possibility of vehicle-pedestrian collisions. Bicyclists can use either the designated bicycle lanes or pedestrian walkways. Additional roadway improvements include upgraded signage and paving, new lighting, restriping to add 5-foot-wide bike lanes, and the addition of transit stop boarding areas/landing pads.