At the intersection of Union Road and Butner Road in South Fulton, Georgia, a skewed roadway configuration and documented crash history created a significant transportation safety challenge. The City sought a solution that would improve intersection operations, enhance safety for all users and accommodate future growth while minimizing impacts to surrounding properties and residents. STV served as the roadway design engineer and provided project management support for the transformation of the intersection into a modern single-lane roundabout. Opened to traffic in 2025, the completed project introduced safer traffic circulation patterns while delivering broader community enhancements, including sidewalks, pedestrian accommodations, upgraded lighting, storm drainage improvements and a landscaped central island featuring native plants.
What challenges did STV address?
The existing Union Road and Butner Road intersection presented a history of crashes and a roadway geometry that contributed to operational and safety concerns. The City needed an approach that would improve safety while supporting future transportation demands and limiting impacts on nearby properties and residents. The design team also needed to consider roadway skew, drainage conditions, pedestrian movements, local access requirements and surrounding community characteristics when developing the preferred solution.
What solutions did STV deliver?
STV served as roadway design engineer and provided project management support throughout the project. The team designed a context-sensitive single-lane roundabout tailored to local conditions, replacing traditional crossing and turning movements with lower-speed merging movements. STV evaluated roadway geometry, adjacent properties, drainage conditions, pedestrian needs and access requirements to create a design that balanced safety, functionality and community considerations. To help residents and stakeholders understand the proposed traffic pattern changes, STV also used simulation and visualization tools and supported outreach, communications and stakeholder engagement efforts during design and construction.
How does this project benefit the community?
The project creates a safer and more intuitive intersection by encouraging lower vehicle speeds and reducing opportunities for severe collisions. Beyond improving traffic operations, the project delivers broader community benefits through new sidewalks, pedestrian accommodations, enhanced lighting, upgraded drainage infrastructure and landscaping. STV’s stakeholder engagement and communication support helped residents understand the changes before implementation, contributing to a smoother transition to the new traffic pattern while maintaining focus on community needs.
Key stats and accolades
- Modern single-lane roundabout at Union Road and Butner Road in South Fulton, Georgia.
- STV served as roadway design engineer and provided project management support.
- Included five-foot sidewalks and pedestrian accommodations.
- Added enhanced lighting and new storm drainage infrastructure.
- Featured a landscaped central island with native plants.
- Approximately $4.4 million construction cost funded through Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax revenues.
- Honored by the American Society of Civil Engineers Georgia Chapter.
