We are excited to announce that Sain has been honored with an Engineering Excellence Award in the Transportation category from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Alabama for our work on the Old Tuscaloosa Widening and Turbo Roundabout Project. The award was presented during the ACEC Alabama Member Breakfast at the Alabama Transportation Conference in Huntsville. The celebration was especially meaningful with the attendance of Federal Highway Administration leaders, including Sean McMaster, FHWA Administrator, and Mark Bartlett, FHWA Alabama Division Administrator.
Reimagining a Critical Transportation Corridor
We partnered with the Jefferson County Department of Roads and Transportation to reimagine the Old Tuscaloosa Highway corridor—an essential access route to the Jefferson Metropolitan Industrial Park and major new tenants, including Smucker’s and Gulf Distributing.
Leveraging multidisciplinary expertise in roadway design, traffic engineering, and project management, we delivered a safer, more efficient, and future-ready roadway system that supports continued industrial growth in Jefferson County.
Alabama’s First Turbo Roundabout
At the heart of the project is Alabama’s first Turbo Roundabout and only the third of its kind in the United States. Originally developed in the Netherlands, turbo roundabouts use spiral lane geometry and raised channelization to prevent lane changes within the circulating lanes—dramatically reducing conflict points and driver confusion common in traditional multilane roundabouts.
Our team conducted extensive traffic analysis and evaluated multiple geometric configurations to adapt this innovative intersection concept to American design standards.
Advancing the State of the Practice
The resulting configuration integrates controlled radial entries, rolled-curb lane separators, and enhanced lighting and signage to deliver predictable maneuvering, reduced crash potential, and improved operational performance.
Beyond local impact, the Old Tuscaloosa Turbo Roundabout Project advances the state of the practice in U.S. intersection engineering and contributes to the Federal Highway Administration’s ongoing research into spiral roundabout configurations.
A Commitment to Innovation and Safety
This recognition from ACEC Alabama highlights Sain’s continued commitment to engineering excellence, innovation, and transportation safety. The project reflects our ability to deliver forward-thinking solutions that meet today’s needs while preparing communities for future growth.