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New East-West connector from Mack Bayou to 395
- Thread starter Kurt
- Start date
beachmouse
Beach Fanatic
Re: New East-West connector road meeting 6/16/05
I'm wondering if there are actual capacity problems on US 98 right now. Since they four-laned it, I can't say I've ever felt like it was an overly-crowded road any time we've driven on it.
I'm also wondering how many cars you'd get on another east-west connector. Plenty of times, we chose to drive 30-A instead of 98 even though it's slower and occasionally crowded because, well it's a scenic pretty drive, and it's just a more fun route than 98 is if we've got the time. We can't be the only ones doing that.
I'm wondering if there are actual capacity problems on US 98 right now. Since they four-laned it, I can't say I've ever felt like it was an overly-crowded road any time we've driven on it.
I'm also wondering how many cars you'd get on another east-west connector. Plenty of times, we chose to drive 30-A instead of 98 even though it's slower and occasionally crowded because, well it's a scenic pretty drive, and it's just a more fun route than 98 is if we've got the time. We can't be the only ones doing that.
Smiling JOe
SoWal Expert
Re: New East-West connector road meeting 6/16/05
I'm guilty as charged. :shock:beachmouse said:
Kurt
Admin
Most people at the initial presentation last night were opposed to such a big (4-lane) new road that would be too close to neighborhoods, or cut them off.
The plan as laid out is like "Son of 98". It seems like they plan for the biggest road possible, in order to secure the right of way, build what you can as you can afford it, and then build on as needed over the years. Although it's scary as proposed, it's probably something Destin wishes it had done twenty years ago.
I imagine people around here are afraid of it because they don't want SoWal to be where Destin's at now.
You can send your questions/feedback to:
Rosemary Woods, Associate VP / project manager - PBS&J
rewoods@pbsj.com
Download the pdf handout with description of project, cost matrix for proposed alternatives, and maps:
www.SoWal.com/eastwestroad.pdf - tip: you can right click the link and save to your hard drive to view later.
Feel free to post your comments here and they'll get read by decision makers.
The plan as laid out is like "Son of 98". It seems like they plan for the biggest road possible, in order to secure the right of way, build what you can as you can afford it, and then build on as needed over the years. Although it's scary as proposed, it's probably something Destin wishes it had done twenty years ago.
I imagine people around here are afraid of it because they don't want SoWal to be where Destin's at now.
You can send your questions/feedback to:
Rosemary Woods, Associate VP / project manager - PBS&J
rewoods@pbsj.com
Download the pdf handout with description of project, cost matrix for proposed alternatives, and maps:
www.SoWal.com/eastwestroad.pdf - tip: you can right click the link and save to your hard drive to view later.
Feel free to post your comments here and they'll get read by decision makers.
Last edited:
hutch
Beach Lover
According to the study the "Son of 98" is going to cost taxpayers a least $160 million or more. That's a lot of $$$$. And my guess it will continue into Grand Boulevard Sandestin and not stop at Mack Bayou. It makes you wonder who would benefit by building this road. And what's going to happen at the intersection of "HWY 98" and the "Son of 98"? :shock:
Wouldn't it be less expensive to expand the existing HWY 98 with an additional 2 lanes or do a study on some other transportation options. Maybe we should start limiting one vehicle per household. What's wrong with riding a bike or walking.
I just wish Walton County would please spend a few of my $$$ dollars to at least pave my wash out, pot hole road before spending millions on studies and I am sure some of you feel the same way. I love trail riding but my a-- and bike can only handle so much. Folks there is something wrong with this picture.
the hutch
Yes, the torino is parked in storage.
Wouldn't it be less expensive to expand the existing HWY 98 with an additional 2 lanes or do a study on some other transportation options. Maybe we should start limiting one vehicle per household. What's wrong with riding a bike or walking.
I just wish Walton County would please spend a few of my $$$ dollars to at least pave my wash out, pot hole road before spending millions on studies and I am sure some of you feel the same way. I love trail riding but my a-- and bike can only handle so much. Folks there is something wrong with this picture.
the hutch
Yes, the torino is parked in storage.
Sally
Beach Fanatic
Hutch you're on the right track. They say the new road is for residents - so they don't have to travel on 98 to get to the new hospital and make it easier to get to the beach, etc. But in the end, it's for developers. Which develop for the people. So . . . .
The eastern portion will surely be shortcut from 331 to Seagrove and WaterColor, etc. I wouldn't want to see any of it built unless you have speed limiters and lots of traffic lights. Either that or just make it an expressway with on ramps and off ramps, and frontage roads.
I agree with you that we have more pressing needs, such as paving and repaving existing roads, new evacuation routes, 4-laning 331, etc. But I also admire foward thinking. I guess it's a matter of perspective.
I would be in favor of limiting development by keeping densities low. That is a tough battle and really takes effort by the people, many of whom are busy shopping, fishing, golfing, sunning, or live elsewhere most of the time . . . .
Even if you limit development, eventually new roads will be needed. The project manager said that this road is not affordable, but will be done as can be afforded. So you do it as you can with the goal of one day having it when you really need it. It's like asking for grant money to build a $10 million dollar arts facility in the hopes that you'll get $2 million to get underway.
And if growth is limited whereby you need this road in 40 years instead of 10, well then do people want to pay for roads that they'll probably never drive on? As I looked around the room, I thought that no one in it wanted to have to need such a road in their lifetime. And if it was needed in 20 years, most of the people in the room wouldn't live in SoWal anymore because it would not be the place where they wanted to live.
And many of them were already so upset with the pace of growth that they should have bugged out already, but for whatever reason haven't, or never will.
The eastern portion will surely be shortcut from 331 to Seagrove and WaterColor, etc. I wouldn't want to see any of it built unless you have speed limiters and lots of traffic lights. Either that or just make it an expressway with on ramps and off ramps, and frontage roads.
I agree with you that we have more pressing needs, such as paving and repaving existing roads, new evacuation routes, 4-laning 331, etc. But I also admire foward thinking. I guess it's a matter of perspective.
I would be in favor of limiting development by keeping densities low. That is a tough battle and really takes effort by the people, many of whom are busy shopping, fishing, golfing, sunning, or live elsewhere most of the time . . . .
Even if you limit development, eventually new roads will be needed. The project manager said that this road is not affordable, but will be done as can be afforded. So you do it as you can with the goal of one day having it when you really need it. It's like asking for grant money to build a $10 million dollar arts facility in the hopes that you'll get $2 million to get underway.
And if growth is limited whereby you need this road in 40 years instead of 10, well then do people want to pay for roads that they'll probably never drive on? As I looked around the room, I thought that no one in it wanted to have to need such a road in their lifetime. And if it was needed in 20 years, most of the people in the room wouldn't live in SoWal anymore because it would not be the place where they wanted to live.
And many of them were already so upset with the pace of growth that they should have bugged out already, but for whatever reason haven't, or never will.
Sally
Beach Fanatic
And one more thing if I may casually rant:
When the 331 bridge is 4-laned, something tells me that we'll have one of those confounded, infuriating TOLL ROAD situations. You know - the road that we the taxpayers pay for and then have to pay tolls to drive on FOREVER.
Now that my friends, is government and greed run amock and the people shouldn't stand for it.
It probably will happen. They'll get the Freeport bypass done and then the southern section 4-laned, and then they'll say "geez - we can't afford to build the bridge - DOH!" Here comes the $40 million dollar bond.
So when it does happen, let's make the incoming toll $50.00 per vehicle and when you're outbound you get $5.00 and a free tank of gas.
Later! :clap_1:
When the 331 bridge is 4-laned, something tells me that we'll have one of those confounded, infuriating TOLL ROAD situations. You know - the road that we the taxpayers pay for and then have to pay tolls to drive on FOREVER.
Now that my friends, is government and greed run amock and the people shouldn't stand for it.
It probably will happen. They'll get the Freeport bypass done and then the southern section 4-laned, and then they'll say "geez - we can't afford to build the bridge - DOH!" Here comes the $40 million dollar bond.
So when it does happen, let's make the incoming toll $50.00 per vehicle and when you're outbound you get $5.00 and a free tank of gas.
Later! :clap_1:
Sally
Beach Fanatic
Walton Sun article - Residents upset, surprised over proposed access road
June 17, 2005
By Tanner Flowers
May 16, representatives from PBS&J held a public information hearing regarding a proposed access road planned to connect Mack Bayou Rd. to U.S. 331, and then on to County Road 395. The proposed access road will be a four-lane divided highway with a possible posted speed limit of 45 M.P.H.
Many residents came to the meeting to protest the road running near their property, only to be surprised at the unexpected size of the road.
?When this project started, it was to give local traffic, local residents, a way back to [U.S.] 331,? said local resident, Lloyd Blue. ?This exceeds what I thought.?
A Project Development & Environment Study compiled data on traffic in the area. The study concluded that the four-lane road would be necessary.
?We are looking 20 years into the future,? said PBS&J project manager, Rosemary Woods, who presented the plan to the concerned residents. ?We?re here. People are coming. We need to be prepared.?
Not all residents came to the meeting upset over the prospect of the new road. Alan Ficarra urged quick action to acquire the right of way needed for the road. He claimed that plans must be made so that the county would not be caught off guard later. He cited Destin as an example of inadequate planning leading to the inability to build new roads to alleviate traffic woes.
David Kramer also believes in the need for a road to parallel U.S. 98. Kramer claims that new roads, such as this one, will help diffuse future traffic problems.
?Old roads don?t just go away,? Kramer said.
The information session on the PD&E was just the second step in a long process. Woods reminded residents that it would take several years before they may see any visible action. PBS&J will continue working on the plan to propose the best option before any design can begin.
?People don?t realize how far out this is,? said Woods.
The developers will study comments made by residents at the meeting to put together a final proposal on the road. Woods also welcomed comments sent to her, which will be recorded in the study. She stressed the importance of public comments in the planning of the road.
The public may send comments to: Chris Merritt, PBS&J, 1901 Commonwealth Lane, Tallahassee, Florida 32303.
For more information: Rosemary Woods, rewoods@pbsj.com or (850) 575-1800. Walton County Administrator, Shrill Williams, (850) 892-8155.
June 17, 2005
By Tanner Flowers
May 16, representatives from PBS&J held a public information hearing regarding a proposed access road planned to connect Mack Bayou Rd. to U.S. 331, and then on to County Road 395. The proposed access road will be a four-lane divided highway with a possible posted speed limit of 45 M.P.H.
Many residents came to the meeting to protest the road running near their property, only to be surprised at the unexpected size of the road.
?When this project started, it was to give local traffic, local residents, a way back to [U.S.] 331,? said local resident, Lloyd Blue. ?This exceeds what I thought.?
A Project Development & Environment Study compiled data on traffic in the area. The study concluded that the four-lane road would be necessary.
?We are looking 20 years into the future,? said PBS&J project manager, Rosemary Woods, who presented the plan to the concerned residents. ?We?re here. People are coming. We need to be prepared.?
Not all residents came to the meeting upset over the prospect of the new road. Alan Ficarra urged quick action to acquire the right of way needed for the road. He claimed that plans must be made so that the county would not be caught off guard later. He cited Destin as an example of inadequate planning leading to the inability to build new roads to alleviate traffic woes.
David Kramer also believes in the need for a road to parallel U.S. 98. Kramer claims that new roads, such as this one, will help diffuse future traffic problems.
?Old roads don?t just go away,? Kramer said.
The information session on the PD&E was just the second step in a long process. Woods reminded residents that it would take several years before they may see any visible action. PBS&J will continue working on the plan to propose the best option before any design can begin.
?People don?t realize how far out this is,? said Woods.
The developers will study comments made by residents at the meeting to put together a final proposal on the road. Woods also welcomed comments sent to her, which will be recorded in the study. She stressed the importance of public comments in the planning of the road.
The public may send comments to: Chris Merritt, PBS&J, 1901 Commonwealth Lane, Tallahassee, Florida 32303.
For more information: Rosemary Woods, rewoods@pbsj.com or (850) 575-1800. Walton County Administrator, Shrill Williams, (850) 892-8155.
southof30A
Beach Lover
Mine was a 1968 Torino GT, 390 w/dual-line Holleys. Best road trip car I've EVER had the pleasure of driving.
Burned it up, dead in the water, in the middle of an intersection in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Electrical short on a rewired ignition switch.
Gone, but not forgotten...
Burned it up, dead in the water, in the middle of an intersection in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Electrical short on a rewired ignition switch.
Gone, but not forgotten...