Hayden roundabouts — New roundabouts in Hayden (ALDOT)

There’s big news for the small town of Hayden! Three new circle-savvy roundabouts have rolled into town at Exit 284 off I-65, courtesy of ALDOT and Sain Associates in Birmingham.

Here’s why this update is anything but dizzying.

From wrong turns to right moves

I know what you’re thinking: Will we ever go a week without construction throwing a curve in our daily travels? We get it. But this isn’t just roadwork for the sake of roadwork. According to Sain Associates Project Manager Tony Montanaro, the idea for the project came after a statewide study on wrong-way driving that was led by Auburn University’s Dr. Zhao.

Through the study, researchers found that cloverleaf interchanges were causing drivers to accidentally head the wrong way onto ramps. Scary, right?

The solution: roundabouts. By redirecting traffic flow, these driver-friendly loops make it nearly impossible to shoot up an off-ramp in the wrong direction. That will save us all a few heart palpitations on our next commute.

Where are the City of Hayden’s new roundabouts located?

You’ll find the two of Hayden’s new roundabouts anchoring northbound and southbound ramps onto I-65. Since US 31 is also thrown into the mix, planners added a third roundabout to further keep things flowing—no traffic lights needed, because why stop when you can go?

What do you think about Hayden gaining three new roundabouts? Let us know on social at @bhamnow.