331 Freeport Bypass Jan 23!!!

That is the word on the street. I heard it at the annex, yesterday, so I am wondering why it takes so long for word to travel around the annex.

What is the schedule on the portion from 20 south to the bridge? Is that next? I heard from a business on that stretch that they had a bout a year to vacate.

I believe that section is on the 5 year priority list, whatever that means. The County wanted to go ahead and buy the property to begin the process. Not sure where they stand with that, but it appears that much of the land being taken is already marked off.

What is the schedule on the portion from 20 south to the bridge? Is that next? I heard from a business on that stretch that they had a bout a year to vacate.

I have a commercial peice on 331 south and just heard from my lawyer that we will be getting an offer any day! We were told awhile back that it may not happen due to a shortage of money.... This is good news!

This is great news. Now if they can just find a way to bypass Florala/Paxton and Defunk, we'll be in bidness!

That is the word on the street. I heard it at the annex, yesterday, so I am wondering why it takes so long for word to travel around the annex.

If you heard it at the planning/BCC end of the building (south), the basic reason is that the only contact my office has with them is when we raid their snack machine, or they come down to record something. I thought I heard it on WZEP yesterday too, but the "official" announcement came as a broadcast e-mail from DeFuniak this morning.

I didn't hear it from that end. I heard it from the middle, at the NWFTCA meeting.

Well, heck. Seems I was too busy working and/or watching the SoWal Seahawks whip up on PDL in hoops to catch that. Remember, we are just employees and not news-worthy.

The new section of Hwy 331, in Freeport, scheduled to open tomorrow, Jan 23

The new section of Hwy 331, in Freeport, scheduled to open tomorrow, Jan 23.

Should make traffic much easier for everyone passing through Freeport.

Re: The new section of Hwy 331, in Freeport, scheduled to open tomorrow, Jan 23

I doubt it, usually people get used to what they have. I'm sure there will be plenty of goose necking and quick stops. I'd be careful driving thru the area tomorrow.

swgb, you are probably correct regarding the opening. I don't even think they are opening it until after some ceremonial tape cutting. However, I can guarantee you that a week after the opening, things will have improved 10 times.

Unless you are a business owner that relies on traffic and you just got bypassed.

Wasn't open as of 9am this morning.

Don't think the ribbon cutting is until early afternoon, and opening later in the day.

Unless you are a business owner that relies on traffic and you just got bypassed.

I'd guess that the Shell station and the lady with the monkey who sells peanuts across the street, are probably the only two businesses which will be effected negatively by the bypass. Most of the other businesses on that stretch, don't get much traffic from tourists on the way to and from the beach.

I'd guess that the Shell station and the lady with the monkey who sells peanuts across the street, are probably the only two businesses which will be effected negatively by the bypass. Most of the other businesses on that stretch, don't get much traffic from tourists on the way to and from the beach.

I wouldn't think any of them do, most people just want to get here, hence the need for a Bypass.

I drove home on the bypass last night! Loved it.

I'd guess that the Shell station and the lady with the monkey who sells peanuts across the street, are probably the only two businesses which will be effected negatively by the bypass. Most of the other businesses on that stretch, don't get much traffic from tourists on the way to and from the beach.

I would bet almost every business on the bypassed route in Freeport will suffer. It's not just tourists who stop at the businesses. The cafes, Kelly's, Mexican Restaurant, even the tire store. Outa site outta mind for locals and commuters. Many thousands who will never see those places again.

I would bet almost every business on the bypassed route in Freeport will suffer. It's not just tourists who stop at the businesses. The cafes, Kelly's, Mexican Restaurant, even the tire store. Outa site outta mind for locals and commuters. Many thousands who will never see those places again.

Perhaps they could put up some big blue wayfinding signs with those businesses listed in big letters?

I would bet almost every business on the bypassed route in Freeport will suffer. It's not just tourists who stop at the businesses. The cafes, Kelly's, Mexican Restaurant, even the tire store. Outa site outta mind for locals and commuters. Many thousands who will never see those places again.

What was the reason for the bypass being built at this time? Seems to me there are much more drastic needs in Walton County road system...and the short run through Freeport did not seem to be the place where traffic bogged down...Just wondering

Kurt, I think you are right about that, but only in the future. Until new stores pop up along that new stretch of road, the Freeporters and commuters know what there options are, and currently, there are not alternatives. However, that will change quickly. I wouldn't be surprised to see Publix and Home Depot pop up along that new stretch in the next 3-7 years.

Goodwitch, Hurricane Evacuation is the reason. If you think that traffic didn't back up on that old stretch, you must have never driven that stretch on a Sat morning in the season. I've seen bumper to bumper traffic from the Shell station all the way to the BP station, which is at least one mile, on their way to the beach.

The other reason is future four-laning for the evacuation.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Publix and Home Depot pop up along that new stretch in the next 3-7 years.

The bypass is a beautiful stretch of land right now and will be a pleasant twice daily drive compared to going through "town" - but that probably won't last too long.

The reason that many businesses in Freeport fought so hard for many years against a bypass was the tourist traffic. However, Freeport has grown to the point that most of the businesses are sustained by locals. Locals will still look for the post office, Franks Cash & Carry, the beauty salon, etc. I think that Kelley's probably lost a lot of the beach traffic after Publix opened down here, but that's just a hunch.

The reason that many businesses in Freeport fought so hard for many years against a bypass was the tourist traffic. However, Freeport has grown to the point that most of the businesses are sustained by locals. Locals will still look for the post office, Franks Cash & Carry, the beauty salon, etc. I think that Kelley's probably lost a lot of the beach traffic after Publix opened down here, but that's just a hunch.

I think Kelley's lost a lot of business cause Publix was a much better alternative. Of course I am somewhat biased when it comes to Publix