scooterbug44
SoWal Expert
Definitely! There are a lot of places where a minibus could easily pull off of the main road and loop through a main area of a development so they wouldn't block traffic.
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Is SoWal ready for a middle beach road?
- Thread starter Kurt
- Start date
Definitely! There are a lot of places where a minibus could easily pull off of the main road and loop through a main area of a development so they wouldn't block traffic.
Matt J
SWGB
Where does one stop? Middle beach was PCB's solution to the congestion on Front beach and then they moved on to Back beach which is a 4-6 lane behemoth.
While I love the idea of a road connecting me directly to 98 being put in right down from my house, I also don't relish the idea of more traffic in that area.
While I love the idea of a road connecting me directly to 98 being put in right down from my house, I also don't relish the idea of more traffic in that area.
scooterbug44
SoWal Expert
I think just building more and more roads is not a good long term solution - there are a couple places we need to improve circulation options, but in general it's not the number of roads it is how they are used and rules not being enforced.
That and businesses/owners doing everything they can to avoid providing sufficient parking spaces for financial & space reasons, which is why I think a shuttle or bus for peak times would be a big help.
A paved road through the forest is just asking for it to be developed and destroyed IMO.
That and businesses/owners doing everything they can to avoid providing sufficient parking spaces for financial & space reasons, which is why I think a shuttle or bus for peak times would be a big help.
A paved road through the forest is just asking for it to be developed and destroyed IMO.
soappedaler
Beach Fanatic
South Walton will never be ready for roads that destroy the natural areas that defines us.
It’s hypocritical for anyone to proclaim how much they love living in our community of Parks and Forest yet would like to see the environment degraded for their convenience.
Roads through wildlife habitat destroy the effective area for particular species in number of ways. First there’s something called the edge effect where habitat along the road or other interruption diminished the habitat in both space and quality. Also certain species need an uninterrupted area to survive. Roads cut up the large tracts that certain species like bear and panthers need to roam and survive.
A middle beach or another north south connector road will negatively impact the ecology of our Forestland. Why ask nature to change for your convenience? Humankind needs to change for the sake of the planet, particularly our little bit of planet here in SoWal.
It’s hypocritical for anyone to proclaim how much they love living in our community of Parks and Forest yet would like to see the environment degraded for their convenience.
Roads through wildlife habitat destroy the effective area for particular species in number of ways. First there’s something called the edge effect where habitat along the road or other interruption diminished the habitat in both space and quality. Also certain species need an uninterrupted area to survive. Roads cut up the large tracts that certain species like bear and panthers need to roam and survive.
A middle beach or another north south connector road will negatively impact the ecology of our Forestland. Why ask nature to change for your convenience? Humankind needs to change for the sake of the planet, particularly our little bit of planet here in SoWal.
Caroling
Beach Fanatic
Keep our state parks and forest sacrosanct
To those who don't value the air and serenity coming from our natural buffers: the state parks and forests, how about a highway along the beach? Nothing out there but sand and water! Personally I want to keep it all protected. Transportation solutions should be on the existing roads only. Any wildlife corridors should be over and under the existing road barriers. Visiting south Florida recently reminds me of just how precious this area is. Please keep it.
To those who don't value the air and serenity coming from our natural buffers: the state parks and forests, how about a highway along the beach? Nothing out there but sand and water! Personally I want to keep it all protected. Transportation solutions should be on the existing roads only. Any wildlife corridors should be over and under the existing road barriers. Visiting south Florida recently reminds me of just how precious this area is. Please keep it.
Caroling
Beach Fanatic
No road along power lines
There are published records prepared by the Dept. of Forestry and others that detail why this is a bad idea and illegal. There are threatened and protected species of wildlife and carniverous plants including pitcher plants that live and grow there. Much of it is wetlands. Part is Pt. Washington State Forest. Part is Deer Lake State Park. These are different agencies with different mandates. That is the largest, wildest area between Hwy 98 and Hwy 30A. A treasure.
emeraldcoastdav
Beach Lover
I keep hearing a few people saying that 30a traffic is congested. What are you talking about? Four months a year it is as quiet as a Kansas country road. Four months a year you may see three or four cars traveling the same mile at once, and four months a year, (summer), it is no more congested then some residential streets in Ft Walton or Destin. The issue seems to be the bottle neck at Seaside. Isn't that a part of the charm of 30a? A little people watching, slowing the pace a bit? The traffic "problem" on 30a is Seaside. I am happy that I don't seem to have the time constraints others have. I enjoy slowing and enjoying the charm of the hub of this 20 mile stretch of road.
emeraldcoastdav
Beach Lover
By the way. Thank you geo for reminding the locals that we have a taxi service here. Paradise Taxi is celebrating 5 years of buisness based on 30a. While we thank all the locals that support our activity. One observation is; locals don't ride taxis, tourist do. Even being in the tourist industry I would hate to think my tax dollars are paying for the several vehicles that would be required to opperate a regularly scheduled shuttle.
DuneLaker
Beach Fanatic
What about some neighborhood connector roads? Roads that utilize already established roads between neighborhoods. The intersection at 30A and 395 is critical. Lets say Hotel Veridian really takes off in the next 10 years. That intersection will certainly need some relief. Our seasons keep getting extended. When 30A is over crowded and backed up may increase. The numbers at South Walton schools keep increasing. That means there are full time families that are traveling these roads year round. Also, something like this could make it safer as the WaterColor Fire Station would have options for traveling to emergencies on east 30A. Something between Nature Walk's property (have no idea who has ownership or jurisdiction over roads) and some neighborhoods or condos along 30A. Just asking. Here's some pictures. San Juan for example, there may certainly be something else, connects virtually to the back road already in for Nature Walk. It is not "through" the forest. It is surrounded by development, banks, etc. There are two gates blocking use of these roads.
Gate blocking road off 395 just north of 30A and between bank and WaterColor Turtle Ridge and Publix. How far east does this road or existing right of way go? Who could or would have the authority to unlock the bike lock that keeps this gate and road closed?
Here's one place where a paved road already intersects the dirt road that was part of the Nature Walk complex. It is the paved San Juan Road off 30A. All that seperates the two roads is this locked gate.
Obviously old picture and sign as there is certainly no construction going on at Nature Walk. Are/Were these public roads? Were any deals cut for public right of way that might revert back to the public now that this development collapsed?
Picture showing where this "neighborhood" road connects to 395 in established development area.
Gate blocking road off 395 just north of 30A and between bank and WaterColor Turtle Ridge and Publix. How far east does this road or existing right of way go? Who could or would have the authority to unlock the bike lock that keeps this gate and road closed?
Here's one place where a paved road already intersects the dirt road that was part of the Nature Walk complex. It is the paved San Juan Road off 30A. All that seperates the two roads is this locked gate.
Obviously old picture and sign as there is certainly no construction going on at Nature Walk. Are/Were these public roads? Were any deals cut for public right of way that might revert back to the public now that this development collapsed?
Picture showing where this "neighborhood" road connects to 395 in established development area.
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soappedaler
Beach Fanatic
Kurt, since you started this thread perhaps you need to open the discussion on where to put the asphalt plant to facilitate all the new roads
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