By Patricia Lee, Owner Destinites.com
Happy October to everyone! Things are moving and shaking in Destin. In our local’s Facebook group this past month, the Mayor placed a post stating the following, “The state has just proposed this modification to Hwy. 98 due to the high level of car crashes at the Whole Foods and Regions Way intersection. Please share your thoughts with me as the state requires local approval to modify anything.”
A photo of the area was provided also for member viewing. Listed below are a few of the 113 responses he received. If you have an opinion and would like it to be considered, you can write to the mayor at bwagner@cityofdestin.com or call (850) 837-4242.
Some member responses to the Mayor’s question:
1. Another thought is to only have the turn going towards Lowe’s. The other turn makes it more dangerous as it blocks the vision of anyone turning toward Lowe’s. One could just remove the turns completely and force drivers to use the lights. Or put a U-turn further down. However, the current option is better than adding another light to Hwy. 98.
2. No exit—make it a one-way street.
3. 100% agree. It’s that or a light.
4. Ridiculously dangerous intersection. Seems like it could be eliminated altogether. Please modify.
5. The light on Crystal Beach backs up traffic past this intersection. Then vehicles cross this intersection through mostly stopped traffic—meaning the very right-hand or turning lane of Hwy. 98 west is still moving, creating accidents. I think the proposed changes are nice, but not the core issue with the intersection. Lights could be timed better than they are currently.
6. Maybe just start pulling people over for traffic violations. There is no police presence on Hwy. 98 between the Harbor and the Walton County line.
It is a racetrack and it’s ridiculous.
7. I like the proposed solution. I live in Regatta Bay and have experienced near misses by drivers trying to cross Hwy. 98 to go east. One thing to consider is that this will force more U-turns in the area which are a problem in themselves.
8. I think they should close it completely off and not allow any thru traffic between there. They can go to the light and turn around if needed—it’s just so dangerous.
9. Don’t think cameras are going to happen anytime soon, unfortunately. But this interchange is definitely in need of an update. I bank here, and regularly use this interchange and sketchy is a kind way to describe the current status. 100% agree with the proposed directional median.
10. Just build an overpass through the whole city—how hard is that?
There were a handful of other traffic redesigning suggestions made unrelated to the Mayor’s post and he kindly responded to those, as well. If you would like to read the remaining responses, you can find his post in our group or visit the mayor’s official Facebook profile page where he posed the question and also received responses from the community. www.Facebook.com/bobbyfordestin.
If you are a Destin resident or in the close surrounding area, I invite you to join our private targeted locals’ group at www.Facebook.com/groups/Destinites with 10,700+ members (Est. Oct. 2018). Check out our monthly newsletter and local business directory at www.Destinites.com. If your business is in our directory, you may advertise in our Destinites group.
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