Traffic Update: S. Arnold Road

Northbound Lanes Opened March 20 on S. Arnold Drive

Panama City Beach, FL– The City of Panama City Beach is pleased to share exciting construction progress on Front Beach Road Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Segment 3.

The roundabout at Front Beach Road and South Arnold Road (State Road 79) was in full operation with the opening of the westbound Front Beach Road to northbound Arnold Road (SR 79) slip lane by the end of the day on Wednesday, March 20. The roundabout and the associated slip lanes will reduce travel delays and improve pedestrian safety at this busy Panama City Beach intersection. 

The public is reminded that travel through a roundabout requires that all vehicles yield to traffic to their left and also to traffic within the roundabout, as well as to all bicycles and pedestrians. Use caution and expect minor delays as motorists and pedestrians adjust to the new traffic pattern in this area. Access to some businesses on the east side of the road may require U-turns.

In addition to the full opening of the roundabout and slip lanes, northbound Arnold Road (SR 79) will be moved to the new travel lanes. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction on South Arnold Road until the completion of final work items such as roadway lighting, landscaping and irrigation, as well as new directional median separators. The final configuration of Arnold Road will now require vehicles to use U-turn movements to access the opposite side of the highway at some locations. Motorists should slow down and pay attention to the new regulatory and directional signage to guide themselves through the new traffic pattern.

Work on this $30.5 million project began in April of 2021, and is expected to conclude in early 2025. Thank you for your continued cooperation and patience as the City works to deliver much needed community enhancements and safety improvements as part of the Community Redevelopment Area projects.