Is SoWal ready for a middle beach road?

[Kurt]

When the subject of a limited access road running parallel between Scenic 30A and Hwy 98 has come up in the past the response has been mostly, "no way, not across state lands, dividing habitat". It's easy to say that when it's not really needed.

But as Scenic 30A grows more and more congested and exclusive, a real proposal for a limited access road will surface. Maybe by the time it comes up there will be momentum for or against.

Maybe public transportation would factor in, or park and ride shuttles. No long-term parking in WaterColor except for permanent residents and homeowners, with bikes and low-speed electric vehicles for guests?

Perhaps the road could be built with wildlife overpasses and underpasses. Maybe it would provide additional access and opportunities for state park development. State-owned camping and RV parks? Greenspace for county recreation? Additional biking and hiking trails?

Any thoughts on the subject? Pros and cons? Maybe it would only connect two feeders like 331 and 393? Would the friends of Scenic 30A be for or against? Would it open up any St. Joe land for further development?

 

[scooterbug44]

I don't think we need a middle beach road (that's what 98 is for IMO), but a couple more N/S connectors could help relieve congestion on 30A during peak times.

It would also reduce the distance semis, large construction machinery & materials, large delivery vehicles etc. would have to drive along 30-A.

Of course the ideal would be to promote public transportation, ride sharing, taxi services, and reduce the overall number and size of vehicles on the road.

 

[Franny]

If I can shop for whatever in PCB vs Destin I'm all over it because of less traffic due to middle and back beach roads. I think we need to look at the future for 30-A and carefully consider our options such as an alternate traffic route.

 

[JED]

Public Transportation is got to be part of the mix - I don't know how we can support it economical but it would be good for congestion - move people and bikes- up and down 30A and allow many people to leave the car at home. The connector roads on the east end is a must too - I don't see why we can not cut one along one edge of the utility right of way that exists next to Seagrove Medical. It seems a logical choice and is semi central to those area's. I could not support the "middle beach road" - it seems it might cut up to much of the public land. My two cents

 

[scooterbug44]

Have you seen the little electric or natural gas mini-buses? They seat about 15, are very quiet and don't smell.

I think starting a limited point to point bus service (during peak times or special events) would be a good start and would help with parking issues in places like Grayton.

 

[Just Curious]

Have you seen the little electric or natural gas mini-buses? They seat about 15, are very quiet and don't smell.

I think starting a limited point to point bus service (during peak times or special events) would be a good start and would help with parking issues in places like Grayton.

Do you think it should be publicly, privately run, or both?
I think it would run better if it were privately run, but not sure if there is enough money in it.

 

[MommaMia]

public support/private enterprise

Do you think it should be publicly, privately run, or both?
I think it would run better if it were privately run, but not sure if there is enough money in it.

Southwest Airlines needed public dollar guarantees to commit to the new airport (I still cannot remember the name). Perhaps the TDC or another public entity could do the same for a fledgling transit venture.

Most everyone agrees that public transit is one answer to congestion -- much cheaper than building a new road. Yet, we never get past the funding roadblock.

 

[DuneLaker]

Thanks for the opportunity to discuss, Kurt. It is something that needs to be fully explored. Whether it is another middle beach road or perhaps some well placed north/south or meandering connector roads is a topic we must explore, imho. All concerns should be on the table. If not this decade, then certainly within the next 20 something will probably have to be done for the safety and productivity of South Walton and 30A. In another place which was bursting at the seams and was forced to redistrict its elementary schools, they took this highly emotional topic and let all citizens who were interested work through different computer models for possible solutions. Some concensus was developed and school district used as basis for new school lines. Same concept could be used here. Get some computers in a meeting with maps that can have road possibilities manipulated. Discuss and share pros and cons. We might even be able to do it here on SoWal in a virtual meeting. Visuals and maps would be helpful. Will all the gps and pictures around these days, seems something could be done. Someone with facilating skills would be helpful to keep it positive and productive.

 

[Lake View Too]

I saw a need for a middle beach road some time ago, but there seems little chance of going thru with it now. It would have to run right thru existing subdivisions, etc. An attempt was made a few years back to have a trolley car provide "mass transit" and it went over like a lead balloon. The "golf cart parkway" some people are envisioning on another thread is completely out of the question. A suggestion was made a few years ago to put a roundabout at the corner of 30A and 395, which seemed at first to be a good idea until you realize that it would never work in relation to the bikepath as it now stands. As anti-progressive as it might seem, I believe we should let the good old highway 30-A remain pretty much as it is.

 

[tsutcli]

Have you seen the little electric or natural gas mini-buses? They seat about 15, are very quiet and don't smell.

I think starting a limited point to point bus service (during peak times or special events) would be a good start and would help with parking issues in places like Grayton.

Only if there were provisions made for the commuter vehicle to pull off to the side and out of the way when picking up and discharging passengers.