Be careful re the 331 road construction

[ShallowsNole]

We are supposed to be treated to a "New Traffic Pattern" tomorrow, June 24. Hearsay has it that we will be switched to the two new lanes while work begins on the old lanes. As of this afternoon, it didn't look like they were anywhere near being ready to do that, but who knows.

I've also heard from several sources that SoWal folks who need to go to the library, courthouse annex, SWHS, etc might be well served by taking JD Miller Rd and coming in the back way. I was also told to suggest that folks who need to come south/north across the bay should utilize Chat Holley to JD Miller Rd to 98, but I worry about that as Chat Holley/331 is dangerous as it is.

Maybe all will be smooth. But leave early and be prepared in case it isn't.

 

[scooterbug44]

Thank you! I wondered what "new traffic pattern" meant but forgot to ask!

 

[ShallowsNole]

Update

Now the signs say 6/25/09 (tomorrow). And it looks like a LOT of work has happened between last night and this morning.

 

[Smiling JOe]

They are working hard on getting it ready. It has changed greatly in the last 30days.

 

[Smiling JOe]

update:
on the afternoon of 6/24/09, there was a Sheriff's Deputy car and a State Law Enforcement car, both with lights flashing, along with a Fire Rescue truck, parked near the south end of the 331 causeway. Seeing no accident, I can only guess that they are taking extra precaution in warning people to slow down.

Looks like the top coat of asphalt is being paved, and the striping trucks are at the south end of Hwy 98, waiting to paint the lines on the road.

 

[ShallowsNole]

PSA for Today

now the signs say 6/26/09

 

[Smiling JOe]

The two striping trucks disappeared and no stripes have been painted.

 

[SGB]

Does anyone know what the final lane pattern, when it's all done, will be at the entrance to the high school? There have been many mornings in the last year that I wished there was a light there. Turning into the entrance from the northbound lane can be challenging with all the southbound traffic in the morning. Is there any hope for a light now that there will be 2 lanes to cross? I'm assuming that there will be a way to cross the southbound lanes to get into the school.

 

[30abob]

I noticed that ZERO planning was given to possible hurricane evacuation traffic patterns. It seems obvious to me that traffic will back up to a bumper-to-bumper crawl going North between US 98 and the bridge and beyond during evacuations. Based on the stripping that I saw yesterday afternoon there will be two North bound lanes with 6" - 8" curbing along both sides, plus sidewalk along the outside lane. What happens when someone's car overheats (or runs out of gas, etc.) in that lineup of never ending cars? There's no where to pull off into an emergency lane! All it takes is one or two breakdowns and the entire road will be one giant parking lot. Is this not obvious to the people at FDOT?

 

[ShallowsNole]

Does anyone know what the final lane pattern, when it's all done, will be at the entrance to the high school? There have been many mornings in the last year that I wished there was a light there. Turning into the entrance from the northbound lane can be challenging with all the southbound traffic in the morning. Is there any hope for a light now that there will be 2 lanes to cross? I'm assuming that there will be a way to cross the southbound lanes to get into the school.

Don't know, but we are taking JD Miller road and coming in the back way to work and basketball practice until further notice.

There is supposed to be an "opening" where one can come into the Courthouse Annex parking lot by the Chamber of Commerce, but it was blocked when we came to work. Right now, Coastal Centre is no can do.

Going to be interesting telling marriage license couples from out-of-town how to get here today...