Hwy. 98 intersections to get turn lanes
BY FRANKLIN HAYES Gulf Breeze News franklin@gulfbreezenews.com

Franklin Hayes/Gulf Breeze News The intersection of Nantahala Beach Road and U.S. 98 is one of several road crossings that should receive additional turn lanes by the end of 2007.

Several intersections along U.S. 98 should be getting a facelift by the end of 2007. Recently, the Santa Rosa Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved a grant program that will give county government state funding to construct additional turn lanes on several high traffic roads. Soundside Drive and Nantahala Beach Road will receive northbound left turn lanes while Coral Street, Bayshore Road and East Bay Boulevard will receive southbound right turn lanes.

Commissioner John Broxson, whose district includes four of the five intersections, said he supported the measure but called the provision a "band aid." Broxson has been pushing for a traffic light on Soundside Drive, giving residents in the Santa Rosa Shores East and Knobby Knoll areas easier access to U.S. Hwy. 98.

"I know we've been trying to get some signal lights at these intersections without success. The DOT doesn't think they warrant a signal light at these locations so this is an alternative I suppose," said Commissioner Broxson. The commissioner also added that he would continue to pursue a traffic light at Soundside Drive.

The area surrounding the intersection includes three churches, Concord Presbyterian, Gulf Breeze United Methodist Community Life Center and Good Shepherd Lutheran, and resident Betty Little believes a traffic light would make the intersection safer.

"Anyone familiar with that intersection would know that it's very dangerous, especially if you're going left. A lot of [residents] would like to see a light there because there is a serious problem," Little said.

County engineer Roger Blaylock said that his department recognizes that Soundside Drive "is a very busy intersection," but that the state grant program has a very specific scope of work.

In the spring, the BOCC received a letter from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), regarding an FDOT traffic study, claiming that there were insufficient traffic levels on Soundside to warrant a stoplight. Instead, the FDOT recommended the additional turn lanes.

"We may not be able to provide enough to handle every peak hour turning maneuver, but it will allow free rights, when the traffic will allow... Each of the intersections will be evaluated to allow free rights when available," Blaylock said.

The five projects on U.S. Hwy. 98 are estimated to cost $309,500, one half of which will be funded by the FDOT. Project designs should be complete by Jan. 31, 2007 and construction should conclude by Dec. 31, 2007.