Scenic 30A and 395 Intersection in Seagrove Beach

[Beach Runner]

To put it in plumbing terms:

I don't care what kind of pretty pipe you put in place, you can still only get so much water through it. Seagrove needs another pipe.

If you look at a map of 30A (and I'm sure you have), it's obvious that there is a long way between 395 and S. Watersound Pkwy. with no outlet to 98.

A new outlet would be nice for my convenience, but the undeveloped land in state parks are so precious here. What would be the environmental impact of putting a road through a state park? These parks are the habitat for many species of animals. I think I'd rather wait at 30A/395. Or drive east to S. Watersound Pkwy. and hop on 98.

There are about 4 months out of the year when the traffic is a big problem. In other months, 30A east of 395 is like a ghost town.

 

[miznotebook]

Just noticed yesterday and today, the county is clearing trees, etc on the south side of 30 starting at Whiskey Bravo and heading up to 395. Do you think that means they have discarded the roundabout idea and will actually put in a turn lane, moving the bike path to the south side? Wishful thinking or reality? anybody know for sure?

On a side note, my daughter thought it strange to see a prisoner walking along 30 A with a chainsaw this morning where they are doing the cutting.

The county commission hasn't taken another vote on the intersection since the alternate (non-roundabout) plan failed to pass in May. So, as of now, the plans for the roundabout still stand, although they would not be starting construction until after the end of summer. Don't know about the tree clearing, but I think they were supposed to be putting some power lines underground in preparation for work on the intersection.

 

[tsutcli]

If you look at a map of 30A (and I'm sure you have), it's obvious that there is a long way between 395 and S. Watersound Pkwy. with no outlet to 98.

A new outlet would be nice for my convenience, but the undeveloped land in state parks are so precious here. What would be the environmental impact of putting a road through a state park? These parks are the habitat for many species of animals. I think I'd rather wait at 30A/395. Or drive east to S. Watersound Pkwy. and hop on 98.

There are about 4 months out of the year when the traffic is a big problem. In other months, 30A east of 395 is like a ghost town.

I agree. In the early days St. Joe tried to get permission to put a N/S connector through state land and couldn't get it done. If SJ couldn't with all their pull I wouldn't hold my breath, or waste it, wishing for one.

 

[Beach Runner]

The county commission hasn't taken another vote on the intersection since the alternate (non-roundabout) plan failed to pass in May. So, as of now, the plans for the roundabout still stand, although they would not be starting construction until after the end of summer. Don't know about the tree clearing, but I think they were supposed to be putting some power lines underground in preparation for work on the intersection.

Why did the non-roundabout idea fail? I'd be willing to bet that there will be so many accidents from people like me who are not accustomed to roundabouts making mistakes that traffic will back up even farther.

Roundabouts work in AU because people are so accustomed to them.

 

[miznotebook]

Why did the non-roundabout idea fail? I'd be willing to bet that there will be so many accidents from people like me who are not accustomed to roundabouts making mistakes that traffic will back up even farther.

Roundabouts work in AU because people are so accustomed to them.

The short answer is that the alternative plan did not get enough votes. It was 2-2, with Meadows and Pridgen voting for the alternative and Comander and Imfeld voting against. Commissioner Chapman was not present. The tie vote was not enough to overturn the approval of the roundabout, which had taken place in August 2012. Cost may have been a factor. The alternative plan calls for a traffic signal, probably not right away but in future years, and the cost for a signalized intersection was estimated at $400,000 more than for the roundabout.
Like you, I do not have much experience with roundabouts, so I don't know how well people would do with one at that intersection.

 

[Lake View Too]

The only roundabout I use with any frequency is the one just west of Home Depot in Destin, and it can be very fast and intimidating. I can only imagine how well this one will perform with four driveways adding additional cars (who, most likely, will be trying to back-up into swiftly flowing traffic) to the mix.

 

[Matt J]

They may just be clearing the right of way. The prisoner is probably a trustee the county uses for outdoor maintenance.

 

[tsutcli]

When the Veridian hotel is built how will the additional traffic generated that close to the intersection be handled?

 

[j p nettles]

If the idiots on the BCC can't line their pockets they're not interested in a solution.

 

[lenzoe]

I'm fairly sure I heard one of the presenters mention that a pedestrian tunnel could be worked in to the intersection change, though I don't think that's currently part of either roundabout or non-roundabout design. That would take pedestrians completely out of the confusion.