Scenic 30A and 395 Intersection in Seagrove Beach

A couple of comments about the professional study
1-It wasn't done over 4th of July or spring break, the two most congested times
2-It wasn't done during panhandling.

My own seat-of-the pants, anectodal observations:
1-Right turn west-to-north is the easiest.
2-Conflict between left turn south-to-east and westbound through the intersection causes most of the jamup. If the proposed right turn lane doesn't extend far enough to the east, it will only liberate a small number of cars. Other right turn cars, stuck back as far as 723 WB, will still be stuck waiting on the jamup.

The biggest traffic jams I've encountered there are usually in the AM when everyone is checking out. It seems the vast majority of these folks are turning right and heading north on 395. This flow gets interrupted by the occasional person wanting to continue forward or coming from the opposite direction. IMO this seems like a good first step, but FTLOG don't stop discussing it or planning.

I thought the roundabout plan was approved by the BCC a long time ago, and was put to vote again fairly recently, and did not have the votes to be defeated (2-2). Was it put to a vote again this week and officially defeated? Is the current plan simply a right turn lane with yield sign, and no traffic light, or other enhancements?

They did take it up again on Tuesday. Everyone voted to go with the right turn, westbound lane instead of the roundabout, and there is to be no green/yellow/red traffic light at this time. They are expecting the turn lane to suffice for about five years. It wasn't mentioned, but I'm assuming that the blinking light will stay.

A couple of comments about the professional study
1-It wasn't done over 4th of July or spring break, the two most congested times
2-It wasn't done during panhandling.

My own seat-of-the pants, anectodal observations:
1-Right turn west-to-north is the easiest.
2-Conflict between left turn south-to-east and westbound through the intersection causes most of the jamup. If the proposed right turn lane doesn't extend far enough to the east, it will only liberate a small number of cars. Other right turn cars, stuck back as far as 723 WB, will still be stuck waiting on the jamup.

I think there will be a southbound backup on 395. Currently when making a left turn south-to-east, you get a break when a vehicle going west on 30A then north on 395 makes a right. Won't get that break any more because the westbound traffic on 30A continuing west on 30A will have no breaks in it during high traffic times. A traffic light would be better than a flashing light. That way people are not dependent on others being polite and taking turns. The light with the extra lane would be best. It could change to a flashing mode and a 3-way stop during low traffic times.

Glad the roundabout failed. Not happy that the bike path didn't move south. 30A could have been shifted north so that the owners on the southeast corner wouldn't lose any property.

I'm glad some common sense has prevailed. However without moving bike path to south side it is only half a solution and we will always have a problem. It is a huge safety issue. I am a very careful driver and have almost hit bikes there. Some cyclists come through fast without slowing down in blind spots. I think many people on bikes feel like they have complete right of way and cars will stop dead in their tracks for them.

While I'm on the subject let me add:

Cyclists: if you are on your bike you have to obey traffic laws as if you are in a car. If you expect cars to stop for you in a crosswalk then you have to dismount and become a pedestrian!

Crosswalks don't mean you should walk across like a turtle. Show some courtesy and get across quickly!

Attention Walton County / WaterCOlor - decide if the brick crossings are crosswalks and if they are - PAINT them like crosswalks!Thank you for listening.

The latest BCC agenda shows the trade deal - we all know the bike path needs to be on the south side for public safety and to ease traffic flow. If the county needs property on the north side shouldn't we buy it or use eminent domain instead of giving away our right of way? And what is the bold part about - giving up developmemnt fees for ALys Beach?

Request the Board to approve the right of entry agreement with EBSCO for 30A and 395 intersection improvements under "County Attorney". This item sets forth the proposed land swap between the County and EBSCO in order to accommodate a turn lane at the intersection of CR 30A and 395. Basically, the County will abandon and convey some of its Right of Way on the south side of CR 30A and EBSCO will convey some portions its lands north of CR 30A for use in the improvements. The county file also includes a proposed agreement to reduce the required proportionate fair share amount established in connection with the Alys Beach development as part of this intersection deal.

EBSCO is Alys Beach!

The county is paying for these folks to increase the size of their gulf front lots?

Why not use that land to move the bike path to the south?

A bikepath south of 30a would be much better - no crossing the intersection.

Now that I've sold my place in Seagrove Beach, I don't give a rat's rear end what they do down there. I no longer have any reason to go there. There are plenty of beaches in NW Florida that are easier to access.

Now that I've sold my place in Seagrove Beach, I don't give a rat's rear end what they do down there. I no longer have any reason to go there. There are plenty of beaches in NW Florida that are easier to access.

Great attitude,nettles...if you don't give a shoot , why don't you stop posting on Sowal? Some of us live here full time , and these issues affect us every day of our lives. Good bye.

I agree. It is a very important issue for those of us who, even though we don't reside along 30A, are on 30A about twice a month, year round.

From a neighbor:

Notice of Public Access #25 Abandonment
Please attend the Planning board hearing on February 13, 2014 mat 5 PM to voice your opposition to abandoning this Public Beach access point for the benefit of the two adjacent homeowner's. This is a neighborhood beach access point.

Traffic Control at Intersection of 395 and 30A


The Sheriff's Office has studied this issue in depth and developed the following recommendations:


Peak times are 10:00 am – 2:00 pm and again from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Saturdays (check-in/check-out). We recommend staffing this as an off-duty detail paying $25.00 per hour (this way it will not detract needed manpower from the road during Spring Break). This detail would run every Saturday beginning March 1 and ending April 26, 2014 ( 9 days at $200 = $1,800.00).


We recommend staffing the following holidays in addition to the Saturdays mentioned above – Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day (3 days at $200 = $600.00).


Deputies would be treated as contract employees and paid directly by the county.

- From Cindy Meadows Office

Sadly, for homeowners, if traffic improvements are approved, it is called "eminent domain".

The state, county and whomever else funda the project would buy the portion of real estate affected for fair market value to improve the intersection. "Eminent domain".

Read this and think about 395 @ 30-A

http://www.awcnet.org/Apps/ma/projects/2011Woodinville2.pdf

A good time to start this project would be about a week or 2 from now after back to school traffic settles down.

Update

CR395/Co Hwy 30A Intersection Improvement - This project is currently in the engineering and design stage and will provide a fully signalized intersection with additional turn lanes and drainage improvements. The design work will be completed late summer with utility relocations scheduled after Labor Day 2016. Construction of this intersection improvement project is currently scheduled to begin after Labor Day 2017. Funding for this project has been provided by the Walton County Board of County Commissioners.

Update

Left and right turn lanes will also be added to CR 395 onto Scenic 30A Fall 2017.

Fall 2018 will see the addition of a right turn lane for westbound traffic on Scenic 30A onto CR 395, and a left turn lane for eastbound traffic on Scenic 30A onto CR 395. A median will be added on CR 395. A stoplight will be installed and with red/green arrows for all turn lanes.

No plans for moving the bike path to south side as some have requested, but the bike lane will be forced to use signal buttons to integrate with traffic.

Now, if there was only some way to keep the pedestrians and bicycles from crossing against a green light as happens all the time at the Rosemary Beach traffic lights.

Update

Left and right turn lanes will also be added to CR 395 onto Scenic 30A Fall 2017.

Fall 2018 will see the addition of a right turn lane for westbound traffic on Scenic 30A onto CR 395, and a left turn lane for eastbound traffic on Scenic 30A onto CR 395. A median will be added on CR 395. A stoplight will be installed and with red/green arrows for all turn lanes.

No plans for moving the bike path to south side as some have requested, but the bike lane will be forced to use signal buttons to integrate with traffic.

This is interesting that the bike traffic "will be forced" to use signal buttons to integrate with traffic. A great concept, if it were to be practically enforced. I still think the bike path should be re-routed north onto Grove Street to completely by-pass that intersection.

Now, if there was only some way to keep the pedestrians and bicycles from crossing against a green light as happens all the time at the Rosemary Beach traffic lights.

Exactly. I was going to mention this very thing. Pedestrians are constantly crossing when they have a red light and vehicular traffic has a green light. On numerous occasions I have see people walk into the crosswalks in the middle of traffic when traffic has a green light. Along with this drivers, who have the green light, suddenly stop at the crosswalks to let waiting pedestrians cross when it is not their turn. It's a very dangerous situation at Rosemary. I can't see signal button traffic signals on 395 being effective at all. Basically the problem is tourists from the suburbs not knowing how to cross busy streets using traffic signals.

Exactly. I was going to mention this very thing. Pedestrians are constantly crossing when they have a red light and vehicular traffic has a green light. On numerous occasions I have see people walk into the crosswalks in the middle of traffic when traffic has a green light. Along with this drivers, who have the green light, suddenly stop at the crosswalks to let waiting pedestrians cross when it is not their turn. It's a very dangerous situation at Rosemary. I can't see signal button traffic signals on 395 being effective at all. Basically the problem is tourists from the suburbs not knowing how to cross busy streets using traffic signals.

Again, another glaring issue of ENFORCEMENT.

How about a crossing / patrol guard? Other areas have them. Not us.

Walking against the signal is actually a violation, but who gives a , right?

We don't enforce anything until its too far gone to win and thus, we throw our hands up in disarray.

The Citizens Services woman Leah would be great to spear head such a program. They could write civil traffic tickets (Called Parking Tickets) and other civil issues.

Why didn't our staff research this when they all traveled to central Florida about the Fire Department Take Over???? They must have all been fishing or sleeping as that County already gave back its fire department. Waste of Money.

Our Sheriff doesn't care about local civil issues.

How about we get rid of the lights at Rosemary which are not needed and a mistake in the first place... Have never been anything but confusing.