FDOT responds to U-turn concerns at State Road 434 and 436

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — Florida Department of Transportation officials say they plan to add more signage at a busy Altamonte Springs intersection after a Seminole County driver reported close calls involving illegal U-turns.

The concern is at the intersection of State Roads 436 and 434, where FDOT completed a project earlier this year that upgraded the traffic signal system with new mast arm signal poles and removed free-flow right turn lanes. As part of the project, FDOT installed an overhead “No U-turn” sign in early February for northbound drivers on State Road 434.

Patrick LeBoeuf, who lives in the Altamonte Springs area, said not all drivers are following the new restriction.

“You used to be able to make a U-turn at this intersection, and you can’t now,” LeBoeuf said.

LeBoeuf said the issue creates a conflict when he turns from eastbound State Road 436 onto southbound State Road 434, LeBoeuf said. Northbound drivers on State Road 434 who make an illegal U-turn can enter the path of vehicles making that turn.

“Two times when we’ve come around the corner from the other direction, we’ve almost been T-boned by a car making a U-turn here,” LeBoeuf said.

LeBoeuf said he believes some drivers may not realize U-turns are no longer allowed at that location. He said both directions have a green arrow at the same time.

“I think they just need a few more no U-turn signs at the intersection,” LeBoeuf said.

FDOT spokesman Tim Freed said that through the end of April, the agency had not found any U-turn crashes at State Road 434 and State Road 436. Still, FDOT plans to install additional signage in the median for northbound State Road 434 traffic approaching the intersection to alert drivers about the No U-turn rule.

Freed said FDOT also plans to work with law enforcement to address drivers who violate the restriction.

Altamonte Springs police said they have periodically monitored and enforced the No U-turn rule at the intersection.

LeBoeuf said he is now more cautious when traveling through the area but hopes the additional signs and enforcement will improve safety.

“Now that we know there’s a problem, when we’re coming this way, we’re always watching for it so that we’re more aware,” LeBoeuf said. “We just want to see that continue so that we can move from Point A to Point B safely.”

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