four lane for Chat Holley Rd.

[swantree]

i guess my intent here is that someday this will be a hot topic and all of us on the north side of 98 will be effected. I would hate for a 4 lane to go in because of some study to deflect the amount of traffic off 98 to a LOCAL access makes me shudder. I've seen the road by Home depot get so clogged in the summer....... even if it's 5 years down the line, IMO would like to see a very pedestrian friendly road that would help me not worry about seeing a kid trying to get to school on a bike (mine included) and the ability to access the beach safely. When 283 was being re-done and a bike path put in..i became very excited to think persons could get on 30A with a little effort. then nothing came of it. I'm glad it's there! i'm not complaining....but in light of things hitting SoWallers smack in the face before it's to late.....ie...blue monsters! We should be putting some thought to this for a later date! We see the power of the people here and now...N. 98ers ....need not be left out to pasture because 30A and the tourists become so important we can't push for safe travels for locals.

 

[Smiling JOe]

If you want safer roads, start with the four-laning of 331. Since Friday, I have encountered four drivers passing multiple vehicles as they approach me at lightning speed in my lane. It is getting maddening, and makes me want to throw up a little in my mouth.

 

[Furthur]

Before we 4 lane Chat Holly we should insist that all new development on 98 have their own slow down turn lanes. Cars slowing in the right lane to make turns really bogs traffic down.

No more curb cuts without turn lanes!

I still don't understand why they didn't put a right turn lane on the corner of 393 when it was redone.

 

[hnooe]

Allied question: Who in Walton history is/was Chat Holley? Or, is it a type of tree?

 

[ShallowsNole]

Chat Holley: long-time local pioneer. I can still picture his old white farm-type house, on the corner of Powerline Road and 331. I believe the brick fireplace that still stands was from his house, though I'd have to ask his grandson (who owned the property after him) to be certain.

Powerline Road was re-named Chat Holley Road posthumously. And y'all should have seen old Powerline Road before it was paved. Making it all the way from 393 to 331 was interesting, to say the least.

 

[florida girl]

Chat's granddaughter was my best friend when I was a kid, great times we had! Yes, that's the old fireplace from the old house. I remember it, no indoor plumbing! They had a 2 seater over in the side yard! Chat was a real character, he used to sit in a lawn chair with cut offs, and swat flies. His wife was a jewel of a lady, Madie. She used to drive the school bus, and worked as a cook at various restaurants. Particularly Chapmans.

 

[Matt J]

So let me get this straight. You're going to four lane a road that connects 2 two lane roads? Am I the only one trying to figure out how this releives traffic? Secondly, once you've built this 4 lane road, won't it cause a traffic signal to be placed at 331 and Chat Holley, thus backing up traffic on the bridge?

 

[swantree]

So let me get this straight. You're going to four lane a road that connects 2 two lane roads? Am I the only one trying to figure out how this releives traffic? Secondly, once you've built this 4 lane road, won't it cause a traffic signal to be placed at 331 and Chat Holley, thus backing up traffic on the bridge?

good point.....at some time the traffic count would get high enough that there would have to be a light put in that exact spot.......or we have a fly over bridge with a merge lane!;-)

 

[Smiling JOe]

There were several options proposed by the engineers. I recall all of them extending Chat Holley all the way to Mack Bayou Rd. I think one included making Chat Holley a two lane + a middle turning lane, and making Hwy 98 a six lane to carry the extra capacity. Keep in mind, this was being looked at on something like a twenty year into the future plan, and 331 expansion is already underway, and the expansion of the Clyde Wells bridge over the Bay, will likely be completed by then. Given the long-range look, the ideas proposed aren't so crazy, as this area will surely grow during the next twenty - thirty years. Without planning ahead, we will end up like the mess called Destin, which has only one slow way through town for the most part. I applaud them for looking ahead, and also for being smart enough to set some priorities and putting this one on the back burner.

 

[florida girl]

They'll have to buy an easement, there isn't enough on the East end for an official repaving. Col Fleet got tired of all the fussing about it and said "just pave what's there!"