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US 98 Six Lanes On The Way

bob bob avatar
Beach Fanatic
1,974 views1
It won't be long before US 98 is six lanes all the way through Walton County. And of course as soon as it is, Eight laning will begin!

Six lanes invokes a lot of feelings within me, mostly bad, wishing for a simpler time.

But six lanes through Inlet Beach is particularly troubling, and makes me think of Destin and Panama City Beach, where crossing the road on bike or foot is nearly impossible.

No one stops for the one or two crosswalks in Inlet Beach on 98. The underpass seems like a waste of money, unless you are a tourist in Rosemary Beach who can't start your SUV and you want overpriced mediocre food or foofy boutique. Or a donut. Tourists staying in Inlet Beach aren't goinfg to walk more than a block to use it. But I digress.

What will Inlet Beach look like? A stoplight at every intersection or an even bigger raceway?

Here is a link to the project
storymaps.arcgis.com

State Road 30 (U.S. 98) PD&E Study

From C.R. 30A near Sandestin to West of Phillips Inlet Bridge
storymaps.arcgis.com storymaps.arcgis.com

Screenshot 2023-08-20 at 07-30-07 U.S. 98 PD&E from C.R. 30A to West of Phillips Inlet Bridge.png

Replies

6
Matt J avatar
SWGB
#2
The study doesn't end until 2025 then it enters the permitting and design phase. After that it'll enter the funding phase which can take another 10 years. This isn't happening anytime soon.
Beach Fanatic
#3
The study doesn't end until 2025 then it enters the permitting and design phase. After that it'll enter the funding phase which can take another 10 years. This isn't happening anytime soon.
10 years ago, today wasn't soon. :rolleyes:
Matt J avatar
SWGB
#4
10 years ago, today wasn't soon. :rolleyes:

Yes, but the reason that the study overlaps the current construction is to see if that can alleviate traffic and negate the need for widening. This isn't even an inevitable outcome.
Beach Fanatic
#5
Yes, but the reason that the study overlaps the current construction is to see if that can alleviate traffic and negate the need for widening. This isn't even an inevitable outcome.
That's like saying SoWal will never get another monster house. It IS inevitable.
Beach Lover
#6
I just clicked on the link to look at the interactive map of proposed project, my concern is for Orange Street down in Inlet, I strongly think there needs to be a traffic light there! There is an area where you can comment interactively to give your thoughts and concerns to be stated or a form you can click on to give your comment or concern. I like they give this option
bob bob avatar
Beach FanaticAuthor
#7
I just clicked on the link to look at the interactive map of proposed project, my concern is for Orange Street down in Inlet, I strongly think there needs to be a traffic light there! There is an area where you can comment interactively to give your thoughts and concerns to be stated or a form you can click on to give your comment or concern. I like they give this option
Very true. There are about a dozen traffic lights needed on 98 between County lines.

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