Scenic 30A and 395 Intersection in Seagrove Beach

[Lake View Too]

I thought the roundabout plan was approved by the BCC a long time ago, and was put to vote again fairly recently, and did not have the votes to be defeated (2-2). Was it put to a vote again this week and officially defeated? Is the current plan simply a right turn lane with yield sign, and no traffic light, or other enhancements?

 

[TreeFrog]

A couple of comments about the professional study
1-It wasn't done over 4th of July or spring break, the two most congested times
2-It wasn't done during panhandling.

My own seat-of-the pants, anectodal observations:
1-Right turn west-to-north is the easiest.
2-Conflict between left turn south-to-east and westbound through the intersection causes most of the jamup. If the proposed right turn lane doesn't extend far enough to the east, it will only liberate a small number of cars. Other right turn cars, stuck back as far as 723 WB, will still be stuck waiting on the jamup.

 

[Matt J]

The biggest traffic jams I've encountered there are usually in the AM when everyone is checking out. It seems the vast majority of these folks are turning right and heading north on 395. This flow gets interrupted by the occasional person wanting to continue forward or coming from the opposite direction. IMO this seems like a good first step, but FTLOG don't stop discussing it or planning.

 

[miznotebook]

I thought the roundabout plan was approved by the BCC a long time ago, and was put to vote again fairly recently, and did not have the votes to be defeated (2-2). Was it put to a vote again this week and officially defeated? Is the current plan simply a right turn lane with yield sign, and no traffic light, or other enhancements?

They did take it up again on Tuesday. Everyone voted to go with the right turn, westbound lane instead of the roundabout, and there is to be no green/yellow/red traffic light at this time. They are expecting the turn lane to suffice for about five years. It wasn't mentioned, but I'm assuming that the blinking light will stay.

 

[Beach Runner]

A couple of comments about the professional study
1-It wasn't done over 4th of July or spring break, the two most congested times
2-It wasn't done during panhandling.

My own seat-of-the pants, anectodal observations:
1-Right turn west-to-north is the easiest.
2-Conflict between left turn south-to-east and westbound through the intersection causes most of the jamup. If the proposed right turn lane doesn't extend far enough to the east, it will only liberate a small number of cars. Other right turn cars, stuck back as far as 723 WB, will still be stuck waiting on the jamup.

I think there will be a southbound backup on 395. Currently when making a left turn south-to-east, you get a break when a vehicle going west on 30A then north on 395 makes a right. Won't get that break any more because the westbound traffic on 30A continuing west on 30A will have no breaks in it during high traffic times. A traffic light would be better than a flashing light. That way people are not dependent on others being polite and taking turns. The light with the extra lane would be best. It could change to a flashing mode and a 3-way stop during low traffic times.

Glad the roundabout failed. Not happy that the bike path didn't move south. 30A could have been shifted north so that the owners on the southeast corner wouldn't lose any property.

 

[Truman]

I'm glad some common sense has prevailed. However without moving bike path to south side it is only half a solution and we will always have a problem. It is a huge safety issue. I am a very careful driver and have almost hit bikes there. Some cyclists come through fast without slowing down in blind spots. I think many people on bikes feel like they have complete right of way and cars will stop dead in their tracks for them.

While I'm on the subject let me add:

Cyclists: if you are on your bike you have to obey traffic laws as if you are in a car. If you expect cars to stop for you in a crosswalk then you have to dismount and become a pedestrian!

Crosswalks don't mean you should walk across like a turtle. Show some courtesy and get across quickly!

Attention Walton County / WaterCOlor - decide if the brick crossings are crosswalks and if they are - PAINT them like crosswalks!Thank you for listening.

 

[bentley williams]

The latest BCC agenda shows the trade deal - we all know the bike path needs to be on the south side for public safety and to ease traffic flow. If the county needs property on the north side shouldn't we buy it or use eminent domain instead of giving away our right of way? And what is the bold part about - giving up developmemnt fees for ALys Beach?

Request the Board to approve the right of entry agreement with EBSCO for 30A and 395 intersection improvements under "County Attorney". This item sets forth the proposed land swap between the County and EBSCO in order to accommodate a turn lane at the intersection of CR 30A and 395. Basically, the County will abandon and convey some of its Right of Way on the south side of CR 30A and EBSCO will convey some portions its lands north of CR 30A for use in the improvements. The county file also includes a proposed agreement to reduce the required proportionate fair share amount established in connection with the Alys Beach development as part of this intersection deal.

 

[seabythegrove]

EBSCO is Alys Beach!

 

[Matt J]

The county is paying for these folks to increase the size of their gulf front lots?

Why not use that land to move the bike path to the south?

 

[Zebraspots]

A bikepath south of 30a would be much better - no crossing the intersection.