Vote for Middle Beach Road / Seagrove Bypass / New Connector

The connector road makes the most sense. What is the existing line so close to it? A dirt road or a power line trail?

I believe that the state parks are one of the most attractive features of the 30A area. So I would resist anything that violates them. That being said, the outlets from 30A to 98 are sparse in Seagrove/Seacrest. Basically there's 395 and the Camp Creek Parkway. So I would support the connector if we were promised that no construction, businesses, etc. could be built on that road.

But why can't the connector be placed on the fringe of the St. Joe property from east of SeaNest Village to 395? We strongly will resist a connector that starts west of SeaNest Village due to the history of problems at the Eastern Lake Road/30A intersection which have been mostly alleviated.

Middle Beach doesn't seem to have any useful purpose that I can see, other than opening up endless discussions about developing the state forest. The other two have pros and cons that will bring a lively discussion. I'm guessing my neighbors on Lake Drive north of 30A won't be too tickled about seeing their quiet dead-end street picking up a lot of traffic.

See the full report with conclusions and recommendations for Scenic 30A.

1. This report is from 2006, so perhaps citizens might request the BCC update it before considering its recommendations. Some of the players from back then no longer work for or on behalf of Walton County...
2. The report clearly noted deficiencies and offered some solutions to the 30-A traffic situation that have yet to be addressed by Walton County within the 6 years since the study was released.
3. The report makes it clear that the three alternative routes Kurt asked us to vote for are long-term possibilities, not near-term solutions.

Kurt, is there some new information you wish to share that indicates any of these routes are being considered at the present time by the BCC, Forestry, or Joe?

Seems to me that back in the day Joe tried to get permission from the state to build a connector rd. between 30a and 98 thru state land and couldn't get it done then. What has changed?

The connector road makes the most sense. What is the existing line so close to it? A dirt road or a power line trail?

Seems to be coming out of the back of the property where Seaside has an operation next to Lakewood Plaza. No idea what it is.

I don't own property or live in the area so I shouldn't have a "vote" on it, but my observations are as follows:

Connector: Farewell, Cassine Trail;
Middle Beach Road: Rafewell, Eastern Lake Trail System; and,
Seagrove Bypass: Seems like a lot of turns along that bypass route to replace a straight, although often congested, shot to 395.

There has been a lot of talk recently about it. Some of the recommendations have already been done, or are underway. The route for the connector is an approximation, no route has been set.

The Seagrove bypass is designed to stay out of state forest, except for one section, and use some existing right of way.

I have also heard about a bypass around WaterColor and Seaside.

Here is background on Middle Beach Road
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php/44100-Is-SoWal-ready-for-a-middle-beach-road

Just east of Bud's Lane, where the current power facility runs, seems to be the most logical to me. There should already be a right of way.

The route for a connector road as shown in this picture is a terrible idea. That is the only curve in 30a and the road would have to go over Eastern Lake tributaries. Definitely makes more sense on the East side of Eastern Lake where there are currently businesses already established and not neighborhoods. It should be considered that Watersound and Prominence will generate a lot more traffic in the future and the connector road should be closer to those developments in order to more accurately space the connector roads and to keep any of them from getting over/under used.

The route for a connector road as shown in this picture is a terrible idea. That is the only curve in 30a and the road would have to go over Eastern Lake tributaries. Definitely makes more sense on the East side of Eastern Lake where there are currently businesses already established and not neighborhoods. It should be considered that Watersound and Prominence will generate a lot more traffic in the future and the connector road should be closer to those developments in order to more accurately space the connector roads and to keep any of them from getting over/under used.

Agreed

I totally agree with a connector just east of Bud's Lane. I can't see why a scenic highway devoid of all development would be such a problem to staunch environmentalist. Again, you see these kind of roads all the time in state parks.

But, I also think Somerset, directly west of the Tom Thumb, might be an interesting place. This intersection is already a cluster-duck. Installing a light and diverting people north rather than into the jaws of gridlock. I'm just throwing it out there. East of Eastern really rings my bell.

Only if Prebble Rish gets to be involved...

I think we need to connect existing roads and communities/developments, increase the bike paths, and provide alternatives to cars, instead of making roads through the forest that don't solve the issue.

Everyone being dumped onto the same roads at the same times is the problem. If a percentage of the 30a and 98 traffic was going through the secondary roads within or near their own neighborhoods, many traffic jams would be far less. We would also not be stuck in traffic whenever there was an accident on 98 because traffic could reroute.

Middle Beach Connector Road is an interesting concept. I think it could help decrease our 30A traffic. And I like the idea of a bypass around WaterColor and Seaside. I do think some body of our local and state government needs to act on relieving our heavy traffic on 30A and just stop talking about it. I love our state forests and enjoy them but gosh we surely have enough around here

I vote none of the above - halt further development.

I'm cool with a connector that runs from San Juan to 395 or one that skirts the state park boundary from where Collaborations used to be to 395 with maybe 2 north/south connections i.e. San Juan. Dividing the state forest is not an option and I feel that any decision should include the following at the beginning:

THIS IS TO FIX AN EXISTING PROBLEM NOT PROMOTE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT

In fact it should be added to the LDC that this route cannot be used to justify development.

I think the place they are leaning towards is just east of Eastern Lake. As good a place as any. Really the best place, over all. To me, an interesting place might be Somerset, next to Tom Thumb. Completely rework that intersection to help everyone.

I'm cool with a connector that runs from San Juan to 395 or one that skirts the state park boundary from where Collaborations used to be to 395 with maybe 2 north/south connections i.e. San Juan. Dividing the state forest is not an option and I feel that any decision should include the following at the beginning:

THIS IS TO FIX AN EXISTING PROBLEM NOT PROMOTE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT

In fact it should be added to the LDC that this route cannot be used to justify development.

I'm cool with a connector that runs from San Juan to 395 or one that skirts the state park boundary from where Collaborations used to be to 395 with maybe 2 north/south connections i.e. San Juan. Dividing the state forest is not an option and I feel that any decision should include the following at the beginning:

THIS IS TO FIX AN EXISTING PROBLEM NOT PROMOTE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT

In fact it should be added to the LDC that this route cannot be used to justify development.

San Juan is a residential road that would not accommodate the traffic or help fix things. Not only would it have the same bottleneck dumping on to 395, it's less than a quarter of a mile from 395. It's also in the middle of a subdivision (an old one but still a subdivision), that would not be met well turning into a county road with a ton of traffic. Not sure why it's even in the discussion.

It was one of the few suggestions thrown out at commission meetings during public comments. As far as I know there have only been rumblings of a bypass and nothing has actually been proposed.

What do you propose to alleviate the congestion?

I still like the middle beach connector road but really would support ANY form of traffic relief our county and/or state officials can help us with. Doing nothing isn't working.

I still like the middle beach connector road but really would support ANY form of traffic relief our county and/or state officials can help us with. Doing nothing isn't working.

I disagree.

First, there are improvements we can make. Like fixing intersections such as 395 and 30A with proper turn lanes and keeping golf carts off of 30A.

Second, the main problems are during the approx 10 week summer rental season. We all have to be OK with more bikes and pedestrians on the road, and in the road, and weaving on and off the road, and darting out in the road. I'd much rather put up with a little delay (tiny compared to city traffic), than plow a road through state forest, disrupting the ecosystem. I doubt the State (or many locals) would go for it anyway.

Third, we already have good connecting roads from 30A to 98. They can be widened if needed. The only real problem section where it's hard to get to a connector and gets backed up is Seagrove. A turn lane at 395 should help. Wait a little while and be glad you're not backed up on an interstate in Atlanta.

Lastly, traffic in SoWal may get worse, but right now it ain't much to worry about. If you find yourself complaining about traffic here, you might just be a complainer.

It was one of the few suggestions thrown out at commission meetings during public comments. As far as I know there have only been rumblings of a bypass and nothing has actually been proposed.

What do you propose to alleviate the congestion?

Run an ingress/egress along the power line. The PWSF is great and an amazing resource but it's not the redwoods. It's a product of the S&L crisis and a monument to Florida real estate developers trying unsuccessfully to sell overpriced swampland to an unsuspecting public.

Run an ingress/egress along the power line. The PWSF is great and an amazing resource but it's not the redwoods. It's a product of the S&L crisis and a monument to Florida real estate developers trying unsuccessfully to sell overpriced swampland to an unsuspecting public.

It's my redwoods.