dirt roads

I like the dirt. When they decide to pave, they rip out a 60' wide path, cutting down all of the trees which drape the road, giving it that old Florida feel. They dig ditches, pave, install reflectors along the middle of the road, and it all seems so unnecessary in many cases. Traffic speeds up, and dogs are no longer safe to roam the hood, or play ball in the street. Before long, traffic speeds increase so much that they have to install speed bumps to slow people down, making it rougher than it was when it was dirt.

I like my unpaved road! (and yes, I never thought I'd live on an unpaved road). If they paved it they would have to cut down/mutilate the big oaks overhead to get the equipment in. My car gets dusty, but it would get dirty anyway from pollen etc.

Dirt/gravel/shell roads are a lot cooler than asphalt too.

where are you guys located?

Seagrove

To answer your question directly, yes I feel there's enough houses on my street to justify paving, we have probably 8-9 on our street most with 10-15 acre plots. They come and grade the road once or twice a month, they'd save the money on that if they paved.
Indrectly i'd have to agree with the other posts, I dont have a problem with our dirt road, the teens drive like maniacs on it as it is. When we first moved here I was all for it, but after a few years here, I've seen that it does have its advantages, one being it keeps the sightseers out We live near freeport.

I was opposed to the county paving our road for the same reasons Smiling Joe mentioned.
It took them almost a year to complete. Now I'm spoiled, I love not having to wash the red clay off my tires after it rains.
But then again I don't think it's rained since it was paved...........

My road is in the process of being paved. They have been physically working on it for eight months now. It took two years for the county to get the right-of-way.

If you think ANY of our roads are in bad shape in SoWal, I need to take you to my husband's grandmother's house in NoWal. I am not kidding. We live on streets of gold compared to the Glendale area.

anybody live on a dirt road and feel that they pay enough property taxes (for high appraised homes) to deserve concrete pavement.


thanks

The dirt doesn't bother me, but I'm a little ticked off at what it costs to get hooked up to the sewer. Thread drift are us...

Going to BUnker today I dont expect WCO to ever pave that road. It is about 15 miles long and the only way to get to is is through Bay Co. It certainly keeps the wanderers away-- Complete dead end. Yes my car gets dirty and sometimes when they are behind on grating the road I have to drive about 5 MPH b/c the bumps are so bad but it is just a settling feeling that I am going to solitude... I just hope it always stays that way.......but I know that it will not. Change is inevitable...

We're in a private community now (the county doesn't maintain our road), but I have lived on Georgie St., in Pt. Washington, and my parents are still there.
The roads stink! People still fly down those roads, washboarding them out, and on the rare occasion that it does rain, the main road, Cabbage Rose, is all but impossible to maneuver.
The West side of Bay Dr. was paved years ago. What's the hold up on the East end?
I think all disgruntled tax payers need to take a copy of their tax bill and a picture of their rutted-up roads to their commissioner and demand action!!!!!!!!!

Grace, you are right, Cabbage Rose Ln needs major help. If I'm not mistaken, those roads in Mag. Bch s/d are on the list of County maintained roads. The easies way to tell is by looking at the street signs. The County recently erected blue-colored street signs for the roads not maintained by the County.

IBD, get ready, within the next three years, expect there to be a blockade by the UPS distribution trucks going to the new distribution center on Steel Field Rd. Word on the street is that they now own 56 acres over that, but it is at the east end of the road.

The West side of Bay Dr. was paved years ago. What's the hold up on the East end?

There is no longer a commissioner that needs to sell property around here.

There is no longer a commissioner that needs to sell property around here.

??;-)

whatever happened to a good old "lane"...our street is basically 1 lane and a little pavement wouldn't hurt...to cut down on dust and save my shocks...All our neighbors are friendly and we just pull off a little and let each other pass...we don't need 60'...anyone ever heard of getting a single lane paved?

The County won't pave a single lane. They prefer 60' width for two lanes, ditches and utilities. I believe in some cases they will pave when they have only 45' width, but they don't like to.

Love my dirt road. The huge dust clouds from passing cars let's us know someone drove by!

According to the Walton County website, all property owners have to agree to grant the easements necessary for paving. If not, it's not considered a priority.

I don't plan on granting an easement, which probably won't make the developer who bought a nearby 1.2 acre lot happy. He may have trouble selling the 10 houses he'll be allowed to build.

Then again, developers seem to have a way of making things happen in these parts.

SJ-
aren't developers now required to pave entrances to new developments?

SJ-
aren't developers now required to pave entrances to new developments?

Good question, and is a little vague. If you are referring to connector roads, leading to the property, I don't know that specific answer. If I had to take a guess, I'd say no, the developers don't have to pave connecting roads leading to their developments, which is how I read your question. I have seen examples of where the developer did pave a connector road to other paved roads. One of the requirements is that the developer have traffic count studies and the road leading to the development has to be able to handle the impact of the additional traffic load caused directly by the development at full build out. However, as I understand it, the County does require the developer to install the infrastructure within the development, prior to selling any parcels in the development.

On a similar note, as I understand it, a developer can pay for the paving of the public road leading to a development, and it would not have to meet the County's 60' wide easement, but they County does prefer it to be 60'. I believe they will allow the paving with a minimum of 45' width. I'm going from memory of a Planning Dept mtg held at least a year ago, so take this with a bucket of sand and do you own DD.

This is Chat Holley Road in 1965, used to be called Power Line Road. I think the county needs to better prioritize it's projects.

This is Chat Holley Road in 1965, used to be called Power Line Road. I think the county needs to better prioritize it's projects.

I'm confused. Chat Holley is already scheduled to be repaved and expanded, isn't it?

I'm confused. Chat Holley is already scheduled to be repaved and expanded, isn't it?

They fought over paving this road for about 50 years! Couldn't agree on where to put it, then easements. Finally commissioner what's his name said "just pave it!" So, yes it's now paved, although not in good condition. There used to be bumper stickers that said, "I lost my parts on Chat Holley!"
That picture was taken in 1965.

Still not understanding how a 50 year old photo of a flooded dirt road that was paved at least 10 years ago and is already scheduled for repaving & expansion is relavent. What am I missing?

Still not understanding how a 50 year old photo of a flooded dirt road that was paved at least 10 years ago and is already scheduled for repaving & expansion is relavent. What am I missing?

The topic was dirt roads. The last I heard about Chat Holley was an intention to 4 lane it, and extend it to Mack Bayou. I haven't heard any other news. Actually, the photo is 42 years old, and the road was paved almost 20 years ago. Life on a dirt road. The county seems to feel more priority in appeasing it's wealthier citizens with pet projects of insignificant importance, to the livelyhood of those who have to put up with annoying everyday problems.