By DOTTY NIST
To improve safety at the CR-83/U.S. 98 intersection, county commissioners have approved the placement of off-duty deputies and have directed staff to continue to pursue a temporary traffic light.
The action was taken during the Oct. 13 Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) meeting at the South Walton Annex.
Walton County Administrator Larry Jones brought up problems with the intersection resulting from the closure of CR-30A at Draper Lake for the bridge replacement project that began in mid-September.
Jones said that, due to a critical, if not emergency, situation at the intersection late the previous week, he had, after consulting with BCC Chairman Bill Imfeld, arranged for the presence of off-duty deputies at the intersection from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jones requested that the BCC ratify that action. He also asked for direction regarding traffic control at the intersection moving forward.
The construction contract for the bridge project is for 120 days, and completion is anticipated by March 1 or earlier.
The commissioners ratified Jones’ previous action by unanimous vote.
Jones commented that in previous discussions with the state Department of Transportation (DOT), county staff had felt confident that DOT supported a temporary traffic light at the intersection. He said that, based on recent discussions with the agency, he did not feel as comfortable of that support.
District 5 Commissioner Cindy Meadows asked if the deputies were running their lights while stationed at the intersection. Jones said that they were. He again asked the commissioners if they would like to continue with the deputy details and if they would still like staff to pursue the temporary traffic light.
A motion was approved unanimously to continue with the deputies 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the intersection for 120 days or until further action by the BCC.
Jones was also directed to continue to work toward getting the temporary traffic light in place.
District 2 Commissioner Cecilia Jones stated strong support for the light, commenting that there had been some severe accidents at the intersection and that it was her understanding that the Redfish Lake Bridge on CR-30A would be coming up for a bridge replacement project next.
South Walton County resident Tami Reinhart commented that she crosses the Bay Drive/U.S. 98 intersection, which does have a traffic light, every day. She said that, even with the light, the intersection is “still a nightmare.” She explained that people crossing on the left turn light do not realize that they do not have priority and do not put on their turn signals until they are halfway through the intersection.
“They cut you off and cuss you out,” she said.
Reinhart said she was not advising against a traffic light but warned that it might not completely solve problems at the intersection. She said that if the use of deputies was working, she would suggest continuing with that.
Chance Powell of Walton County Public Works told the commissioners that a “yield to oncoming traffic on green” sign had already been placed at the intersection.
In response to the BCC direction, Administrator Jones pledged to continue with efforts for the temporary traffic light at CR-83 and U.S. 98 and said he would update the commissioners at their next meeting.
Commissioner Jones commented that she had heard from business people on CR-30A that they were suffering as a result of the road closure. She urged Administrator Jones to keep them updated as well.
District 5 Commissioner Cindy Meadows noted that two large signs had been put up stating “Local businesses open on 30A.” She added that efforts were being made to get the word out for people to support these local businesses.
