331 Alternative recommendation

[MaryAnne]

331 alternative?

With the construction on 331 and being down to one lane each way, lots of accidents and some fatalities, why would anyone want to travel 331 to SoWal from I10 at this time? Surely, there are a few alternate routes until 331 gets finished.

 

[ASH]

331 has only ever been a 2 lane road. The construction going on is in preperation of it becoming a 4 lane someday. Hopefully someday is what I should have said.

 

[kkddbb]

accidents happen whether theres road construction or not. makes no sense to change the road system because of a few accidents as unfortunate as they are. ive seen plenty of these accidents and ill simply say, OPEN YOUR EYES to those driving. its no worse than driving in an urban area

 

[scooterbug44]

Going the speed limit, taking your time, hanging up the GD cell phone, and not passing would prevent 95% of the accidents.

And bear in mind that "dangerous road" and "construction zone" is how a significant portion of our workforce commutes.

 

[Deli Love]

Can I add that if you have to be somewhere like a job, Doctor's appointment or what ever, leave early! It is much nicer to relax, take your time and enjoy yourself, than to be in a mad rush.

 

[Andy A]

All extremely good and valid suggestions and if they are followed, there is definitely no reason to look for an alternate route, which if you used would either take you to a toll bridge or Panama City Beach unless there is another way across the bay of which I am not aware.

 

[ShallowsNole]

For all the crazyness, 331 is fine, even when the SO is directing traffic at 331/98 as they had to do yesterday afternoon.

The only time I'd really avoid it is at night, and that's just me because I have night vision issues and have difficulty with blinking construction barrels and the like. If you can see sharply at night, you'd probably be OK.

 

[GoodWitch58]

I want to say I was glad to see the cops directing traffic yesterday at 331/98. As one who has often complained that they have not done so in the past when the situation IMO clearly called for it, I was glad to see they were there.

I don't know if it was just congestion, a crash, or what, but after I had spent 1.5 hours stuck in the gridlock in PCB due to the "uncontrolled, St. Joe" burn...I was not in any mood to have to fight my way through 331/98.

I was glad to see the officers and I appreciated their efforts.

 

[ItzKatzTime]

accidents happen whether theres road construction or not. makes no sense to change the road system because of a few accidents as unfortunate as they are. ive seen plenty of these accidents and ill simply say, OPEN YOUR EYES to those driving. its no worse than driving in an urban area

OPEN YOUR EYES? Would you tell Chris Carter to OPEN HIS EYES or my younger sister, Jennifer, who was hit by a crack dealer who passed a dump truck and hit her head-on at 60 mph. Or what about the two locals that hit head-on at the top of the 331 bridge. Which of those two would you tell to OPEN THEIR EYES? As long as I've lived here 331 has always been considered a dangerous road, especially at night, as it is very dark to drive. And, thankfully someday we will have a four lane highway.

In some ways it is worse then driving in an urban area. It seems people still think we are the "beaches of the 90's" when there weren't so many people traveling 331, hwy. 98 or even our beloved 30A. There's a false security about driving our roads. Yes, we should all open our eyes, get off the cell phones and stop gazing at the scenery.....but I think that's an unrealistic way to think people are going to drive. Why take the chance of traveling down a dangerous road when there is an alternative.

I travel a lot to take care of my Father who lives in Ocean Springs, Miss (for 9 years) and I never come down to the 331 exit when coming home to SoWal from the west. You can get off at Crestview go South to Niceville and come across the Mid-Bay Bridge straight to Highway 98....from there go east to SoWal or west to Destin, whichever you desire.

If I felt better right now I would give an alternative route to our area coming from the east on I10. Maybe someone else can, as I believe that's what
inside 635 was asking for....alternatives to 331.

 

[wrobert]

I want to say I was glad to see the cops directing traffic yesterday at 331/98. As one who has often complained that they have not done so in the past when the situation IMO clearly called for it, I was glad to see they were there.

I don't know if it was just congestion, a crash, or what, but after I had spent 1.5 hours stuck in the gridlock in PCB due to the "uncontrolled, St. Joe" burn...I was not in any mood to have to fight my way through 331/98.

I was glad to see the officers and I appreciated their efforts.

I think lightning hit something. Cause the lights were in blink mode around 3PM when I came through. And it was not easy getting out.