FAIRHOPE, Ala. — A new Fairhope roundabout is planned for the Founders Drive and Boothe Road intersection near Fairhope High School after the Baldwin County Commission and the City of Fairhope agreed to split the cost of a package of road and pedestrian safety improvements.
The Baldwin County Commission announced that it has approved a partnership with Fairhope under its C3 Program, the county’s cost-sharing road program formerly known as 30 Cubed. The agreement covers the roundabout, upgrades at the U.S. 98 and Twin Beech Road intersections and new pedestrian features within the project area.
Under the agreement, the county and the city will each pay 50% of the project costs. The City of Fairhope will oversee design, bidding and construction.
What the Fairhope roundabout project includes
According to the county commission, the joint project includes:
- A new roundabout at Founders Drive and Boothe Road.
- Upgrades to the U.S. 98 and Twin Beech Road intersections.
- Enhanced pedestrian features within the project limits.
The commission said the improvements “will boost safety, access, and overall quality of life for residents in Fairhope and Baldwin County.”
The project has been described in county and city meetings as a roughly $5 million effort, with Baldwin County and Fairhope each committing about $2.5 million.
Both governments signed off in September
The Fairhope City Council voted in mid-September to authorize the mayor to sign the intergovernmental construction agreement with the county. The county commission followed with its approval of the agreement and the county’s share of the funding.
City staff told the council that the first year’s spending, in fiscal 2027, would be limited largely to engineering, with the bulk of construction costs expected in fiscal 2028. Construction timing will depend on how quickly design and engineering move forward.
Because the project touches U.S. 98, a state highway, work at that intersection will also need to meet state requirements.
The county described the approval as “an exciting step forward” that “continues the legacy of innovation and excellence behind the C3 Program.”
Why the Twin Beech corridor has been a concern
The Twin Beech Road corridor carries heavy traffic, especially around Fairhope High School during morning drop-off and afternoon dismissal.
In April 2026, the Fairhope City Council heard the results of a corridor study during a work session. The city engineer presented four options for the Founders Drive and Boothe Road intersection, ranging from a low-cost all-way stop to traffic signals with dedicated turn lanes to a single-lane roundabout.
The study found that an all-way stop would be inexpensive and pedestrian friendly but would quickly back up traffic on the east and west approaches during school peak hours. It also identified both pedestrian crashes and vehicle collisions near the high school.
Council members at that meeting signaled support for a single-lane roundabout as the long-term fix, even though it would cost more and require significant drainage work. They directed staff to refine the cost estimates and seek county help through the road-sharing program.
The Twin Beech and Boothe Road intersection was also one of 40 intersections identified for improvement in a countywide road plan Baldwin County officials unveiled this summer.
Roundabouts are not new to Twin Beech Road
Drivers in the area have seen this type of project before. The county built a roundabout at the intersection of County Road 13 and Twin Beech Road, which reopened to traffic in December 2023 after being closed for nearly 11 months during construction.
Traffic engineers generally favor roundabouts at busy intersections because they slow vehicles and reduce the types of crashes that cause serious injuries. During the April work session, Fairhope’s city engineer said a single-lane roundabout is a proven treatment that works well at reducing serious crashes.
How the C3 Program works
The C3 Program grew out of the 30 Cubed Program, which the Baldwin County Commission introduced in May 2025. The name 30 Cubed referred to its three-part goal: $30 million from the county, matched by $30 million from cities and towns, with projects built, under construction or under contract by 2030.
The county described 30 Cubed as the first locally funded county and municipal transportation partnership program of its size in Baldwin County and in Alabama. It was designed to move projects faster by avoiding the federal and state red tape often tied to conventional grant programs. Funding comes from a mix of money on hand and short- and long-term borrowing.
Early partners included Gulf Shores, Foley, Magnolia Springs, Spanish Fort and Bay Minette, with projects ranging from intersection improvements to road extensions and pedestrian safety upgrades.
In August 2025, the Association of County Commissions of Alabama honored the Baldwin County Commission with its Efficiency and Innovation in County Government Award for the program.
This summer, county officials outlined plans to replace 30 Cubed with C3, short for “Connecting Communities Collectively.” County Administrator Roger Rendleman said at the time that the new program doubles the county’s financial commitment to $120 million. The C3 program keeps the 50-50 cost split with participating cities and towns.
The Fairhope project is among the first under the C3 name.
What happens next
With both governments on board, the City of Fairhope will lead the next phases:
- Design and engineering: Expected to make up most of the city’s spending in fiscal 2027.
- Bidding: The city will manage the bid process once plans are complete.
- Construction: Anticipated to begin around fiscal 2028, depending on engineering progress.
- Cost share: Baldwin County and Fairhope each pay 50%.
During earlier discussions, Fairhope council members talked about phasing construction and scheduling major work during school summer breaks to limit disruptions near the high school. Final construction schedules and any traffic detours have not been announced.
Residents can follow the project through Fairhope City Council and Baldwin County Commission meeting agendas, which are posted online before each meeting.