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Plans for additional low-speed vehicle pullover lanes on CR-30A are approved
December 20, 2023 Quinton News
By DOTTY NIST
Walton County’s pilot low-speed vehicle (LSV) pullover lane project has been deemed a success, and the county commissioners have approved proceeding with pullover lanes at five additional locations along CR-30A.
The decision took place at the Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) Dec. 12 regular meeting at the Walton County Courthouse.
The goal of the lanes is to help cars pass LSVs in order to help with traffic flow along CR-30A, where LSVs are abundant.
Chance Powell of Walton County Engineering presented maps showing proposed locations for pullover lanes at the five additional locations and the recently-constructed pullover lane location (Site 2 Westbound, on the north side of CR-30A a short distance west of Western Lake). The lane is between 200 and 250 feet long.
The pilot pullover lane had been approved in April and was judged to have been a success following a survey conducted by the county.
Powell said the initial pullover lane had been built by county personnel at a cost of approximately $10,000 for materials. He requested building the additional lanes as soon as possible and then going out for bid for thermoplastic striping for all six lane locations. Temporary striping had been used for the pilot lane and the permanent striping was something that could not be done in house.
District 5 Commissioner Tony Anderson moved for approval and District 2 Commissioner Danny Glidewell seconded.
Anderson said the pilot pullover lane was near his office and that he had observed it seemed to be working well. “I think this will be a very worthwhile project for us,” he added.
Glidewell agreed, saying that all the comments he had received on the pilot project had been positive. “The one thing I think that everyone would like to see is golf carts not be on 30A; however we all recognize that’s up to the state,” he said.
“But,” Glidewell continued, “this is a good…step that we can take…to alleviate a problem that’s not only an aesthetic and enjoyment problem, it’s also a public safety issue.”
“I think this is fantastic,” said District 4 Commissioner Donna Johns, who had spearheaded the project, agreeing that feedback had been good. She noted that the idea for the project had come from a citizen and that she was thankful for that input.
Johns was of the opinion that the pullover lanes would “make a big difference and help people get to their destinations a little quicker.”
Anderson’s motion for approval carried unanimously.
