Bridge Addition for US HWY 331

This was going to be electronic tolling, no onsite employees as it was explained.

Will there be cruise cards like on GA 400 in Atlanta? What about vacationers who don't have cruise cards? I assume they'll have to stop to use credit cards or cash at unattended toll booths.

What I hate about the GA 400 toll booths is how it slows down and backs up the traffic, even for those in the cruise card lanes. I can just imagine how backed up US 331 will be during the summer vacation season if there is a toll.

I am a taxpayer in Walton County, and I'd rather pay 1/2% tax than deal with traffic backup-causing tolls on 331. Actually I'd prefer neither. ;-)

The state in general is moving toward pay-by-plate if you don't have a transponder. Some toll roads have already eliminated old style toll booths altogether.

http://www.floridasturnpike.com/all-electronictolling/

The state in general is moving toward pay-by-plate if you don't have a transponder. Some toll roads have already eliminated old style toll booths altogether.

http://www.floridasturnpike.com/all-electronictolling/

Wow, that's cool. I wish Atlanta would do that on 400.

I would be surprised if the current causeway is allowed to remain. It gets flooded during storms and it's always been said that DEP would require it's removal. Maybe the DEP has no teeth any longer.

We can make both lanes on the new bridge north bound but they already do that on the causeway and it gets backed up during evacuation.

Don't be surprised if after the toll is approved and plans are underway that we are told we need to fund causeway removal and a second north bound bridge with a second toll.

Neighbors to the East

Again,
One has to pose the question, how do our neighbors to the East (Bay and Washington Counties) build bridges without tolls, etc.? What comes to mind is the West Bay structure and the current Holmes Creek bridge (Vernon) in Washington county. Perhaps, I am uninformed because of my ignorance of infrastructure finance. There are those of us who live in the north end of the county and rarely go south any more who have difficulty with paying a sales tax (my Red Bay Grocery once a week lunch bill would go up) to finance a structure of this magnitude. Is there not some equitable tax to let the tourist/users pay the majority of the cost of using the bridge? One would reconcile that there should be some middle ground user/toll cost for the hard working class folks who traverse from all points north to work in sowal.

Rock on,
Rocketman

ok it's simple obama math. the local economy is improving so let us impose a 2-to-3 dollar bridge toll or a increase in our local sales tax. two job killing proposals. anyone on this bridge committee who supports either proposal should either be terminated from their position or we should work together to defeat them at the polls if they are an elected official. now that's a simple math formula we can all understand here in God's Great Darlington Community.

Awesome point was made by someone in another thread....worth repeating here also.


Originally Posted by miznotebook
Also keep in mind that the bridge has to be shut down when there are sustained winds of 45 miles per hour or higher.

331 Task Force to meet Jan. 19, 2012

[h=3]The Highway 331 Blue Ribbon Task Force will hold a public meeting on Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 1 p.m. at the Walton County Courthouse, 571 US Highway 90 in DeFuniak Springs, FL.[/h]

Awesome point was made by someone in another thread....worth repeating here also.


Originally Posted by miznotebook
Also keep in mind that the bridge has to be shut down when there are sustained winds of 45 miles per hour or higher.

Great point but it doesn't take into consideration that that applies to only the present bridge not necessarily the new one to be build which might be constructed to allow a stronger wind tolerance.

Great point but it doesn't take into consideration that that applies to only the present bridge not necessarily the new one to be build which might be constructed to allow a stronger wind tolerance.

Most bridges in the State of Florida are closed by Florida State Troopers when sustained winds are 40 mph.

Snow and Ice

Don't laugh, but I remember the current bridge being closed in December, 2004 due to ice and snow. My vehicle was the last one over the structure before the closure.....Imagine that!!!! It happens...
And then there are hurricanes....

Rock on,
Rocketman

I'm sure all that work and expansion of the Hathaway Bridge in Panama cost quite a bit and i see no toll or tax.

I think removal of the causeway and 2 new bridges over the bay is more important to SoWal than a new airport, at least until they build the expressway from WaterSound over the Intracoastal. Something tells me they won't be asking for money for that project, which will cost a lot more in total.

So there you have it, 4-laning 331 is a money maker because it is a "must-do". We are being reamed people, don't doubt it for a second.

I remember raising money and all kind of hell just to get a stoplight on 98 and 395. The world is upside down.

Great point but it doesn't take into consideration that that applies to only the present bridge not necessarily the new one to be build which might be constructed to allow a stronger wind tolerance.

Let me understand this. One bridge might have a higher wind closing threshold than the other. If that were true then we would be right back where we are a two lane bridge.

What's the point ?

The point is that 2 bridges allow twice as many people to evacuate - maybe more.

The point is that 2 bridges allow twice as many people to evacuate - maybe more.

You're assuming the majority will evacuate. Most don't.

No, I am not.

As our population and number of visitors continues to expand, the number of evacuees also continues to expand.

We need this bridge. We can argue about the how and the politics, but that fact remains the same.

True - not too much to worry about when a hurricane hits in October or November. But have one come in July when beds are full and it is a nightmare!

I don't know what bridge rules are but in SoWal they close Lake Powell Bridge and Bay bridge at same time more or less. The biggest problem on the causeway is water over the road when a storm hits.

I have a recurring nightmare about driving on roads that become submerged and I have to keep driving. Ever have that dream?

Let me understand this. One bridge might have a higher wind closing threshold than the other. If that were true then we would be right back where we are a two lane bridge.

What's the point ?

I believe the rule about closing the bridges after it reaches a certain threshold is because it becomes unsafe for vehicles, not unsafe for the structural integrity of the bridges. I believe it is a uniform wind speed throughout all neighboring counties, if not the state.

[QUOTELet me understand this. One bridge might have a higher wind closing threshold than the other. If that were true then we would be right back where we are a two lane bridge.][/QUOTE]

Lake View is correct. The bridge will withstand the wind just fine, but the vehicles crossing it are endangered from the wind. Just ask any LEO who has driven across it right before it closed due to high winds. It is very dangerous.

with signs and placards in hand "opposing" bridge tolls and higher taxes let's be at today's 1pm bridge meeting at the walton county courthouse in defuniak springs and in no uncertain terms let the bridge committee know the true feelings' of the people. there constituents in other words.

with signs and placards in hand "opposing" bridge tolls and higher taxes let's be at today's 1pm bridge meeting at the walton county courthouse in defuniak springs and in no uncertain terms let the bridge committee know the true feelings' of the people. there constituents in other words.

You know, there are those, including me, who think you are dead wrong. My suggestion to all is to contact ALL the Commissioners and let them know your feelings and why instead of taking on the antics of the "occupy Wall Street" crowd. Also, the point made by Lakeview and others about the bridge being closed because of the wind factor affecting cars is very valid. I should have been thinking more clearly. My bad. My wife and I have a firm policy. If a Cat 3 or greater is forcast and approaching, we evacuate. Anything less we stay here.

You know, there are those, including me, who think you are dead wrong. My suggestion to all is to contact ALL the Commissioners and let them know your feelings and why instead of taking on the antics of the "occupy Wall Street" crowd. Also, the point made by Lakeview and others about the bridge being closed because of the wind factor affecting cars is very valid. I should have been thinking more clearly. My bad. My wife and I have a firm policy. If a Cat 3 or greater is forcast and approaching, we evacuate. Anything less we stay here.

Many feel the same but what happens when a Cat 1 becaomes a Cat 3 in 2 hours?

While I accept it can happen it is most unusual with our modern weather forcasting for such to happen. Life is full of risks and you must learn to accept the fact you cannot avoid them all.

Run Forrest, Run

The bottom line is... if there is approaching bad weather, whether it be a tropical storm or category 1, 2, etc.... one should be prudent and get out of Dodge. As someone has said, the status can change rather quickly.... Use common sense....

Rock on,
Rocketman

The Highway 331 Blue Ribbon Task Force will hold a public meeting on Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 1 p.m. at the Walton County Courthouse, 571 US Highway 90 in DeFuniak Springs, FL.

What happend?