331 Alternative recommendation

inside635 · 07-01-2009, 02:46 PM

With the construction on 331 and being down to one lane each way, lots of accidents and some fatalities, why would anyone want to travel 331 to SoWal from I10 at this time? Surely, there are a few alternate routes until 331 gets finished.

ASH · 07-01-2009, 02:51 PM

331 has only ever been a 2 lane road. The construction going on is in preperation of it becoming a 4 lane someday. Hopefully someday is what I should have said.

kkddbb · 07-01-2009, 03:45 PM

accidents happen whether theres road construction or not. makes no sense to change the road system because of a few accidents as unfortunate as they are. ive seen plenty of these accidents and ill simply say, OPEN YOUR EYES to those driving. its no worse than driving in an urban area

scooterbug44 · 07-01-2009, 05:01 PM

Going the speed limit, taking your time, hanging up the GD cell phone, and not passing would prevent 95% of the accidents.

And bear in mind that "dangerous road" and "construction zone" is how a significant portion of our workforce commutes.

Deli Love · 07-02-2009, 06:31 PM

Can I add that if you have to be somewhere like a job, Doctor's appointment or what ever, leave early! It is much nicer to relax, take your time and enjoy yourself, than to be in a mad rush.

Andy A. · 07-03-2009, 10:15 AM

All extremely good and valid suggestions and if they are followed, there is definitely no reason to look for an alternate route, which if you used would either take you to a toll bridge or Panama City Beach unless there is another way across the bay of which I am not aware.

ShallowsNole · 07-03-2009, 10:17 AM

For all the crazyness, 331 is fine, even when the SO is directing traffic at 331/98 as they had to do yesterday afternoon.

The only time I'd really avoid it is at night, and that's just me because I have night vision issues and have difficulty with blinking construction barrels and the like.

If you can see sharply at night, you'd probably be OK.

goodwitch58 · 07-03-2009, 10:36 AM

I want to say I was glad to see the cops directing traffic yesterday at 331/98. As one who has often complained that they have not done so in the past when the situation IMO clearly called for it, I was glad to see they were there.

I don't know if it was just congestion, a crash, or what, but after I had spent 1.5 hours stuck in the gridlock in PCB due to the "uncontrolled, St. Joe" burn...I was not in any mood to have to fight my way through 331/98.

I was glad to see the officers and I appreciated their efforts.

ItzKatzTime · 07-03-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkddbb

accidents happen whether theres road construction or not. makes no sense to change the road system because of a few accidents as unfortunate as they are. ive seen plenty of these accidents and ill simply say, OPEN YOUR EYES to those driving. its no worse than driving in an urban area

OPEN YOUR EYES? Would you tell Chris Carter to OPEN HIS EYES or my younger sister, Jennifer, who was hit by a crack dealer who passed a dump truck and hit her head-on at 60 mph. Or what about the two locals that hit head-on at the top of the 331 bridge. Which of those two would you tell to OPEN THEIR EYES? As long as I've lived here 331 has always been considered a dangerous road, especially at night, as it is very dark to drive. And, thankfully someday we will have a four lane highway.

In some ways it is worse then driving in an urban area. It seems people still think we are the "beaches of the 90's" when there weren't so many people traveling 331, hwy. 98 or even our beloved 30A. There's a false security about driving our roads. Yes, we should all open our eyes, get off the cell phones and stop gazing at the scenery.....but I think that's an unrealistic way to think people are going to drive. Why take the chance of traveling down a dangerous road when there is an alternative.

I travel a lot to take care of my Father who lives in Ocean Springs, Miss (for 9 years) and I never come down to the 331 exit when coming home to SoWal from the west. You can get off at Crestview go South to Niceville and come across the Mid-Bay Bridge straight to Highway 98....from there go east to SoWal or west to Destin, whichever you desire.

If I felt better right now I would give an alternative route to our area coming from the east on I10. Maybe someone else can, as I believe that's what
inside 635 was asking for....alternatives to 331.

wrobert · 07-03-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodwitch58

I want to say I was glad to see the cops directing traffic yesterday at 331/98. As one who has often complained that they have not done so in the past when the situation IMO clearly called for it, I was glad to see they were there.

I don't know if it was just congestion, a crash, or what, but after I had spent 1.5 hours stuck in the gridlock in PCB due to the "uncontrolled, St. Joe" burn...I was not in any mood to have to fight my way through 331/98.

I was glad to see the officers and I appreciated their efforts.

I think lightning hit something. Cause the lights were in blink mode around 3PM when I came through. And it was not easy getting out.

ASH · 07-03-2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ItzKatzTime

I travel a lot to take care of my Father who lives in Ocean Springs, Miss (for 9 years) and I never come down to the 331 exit when coming home to SoWal from the west. You can get off at Crestview go South to Niceville and come across the Mid-Bay Bridge straight to Highway 98....from there go east to SoWal or west to Destin, whichever you desire.

If I felt better right now I would give an alternative route to our area coming from the east on I10. Maybe someone else can, as I believe that's what
inside 635 was asking for....alternatives to 331.

Further to the East of 331, you can take 79 South near Bonifay and hit 98 in Panama City Beach or 77 near Chipley will take you right into Panama City for smaller two lane roads. There is always 231 to the West of (MARIANNA TOYOTA, MARIANNA TOYOTA, MARIANNA TOYOTA!)(Sorry, got caught up in the car commercial from hell) Marianna that is a larger highway also taking you into Panama City.

ItzKatzTime · 07-03-2009, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooterbug44

And bear in mind that "dangerous road" and "construction zone" is how a significant portion of our workforce commutes.

scooterbug after my first post I re-read your post and realized I did not mention that I do travel on 331 when absolutely necessary...Freeport or DeFuniak Springs. You are so right about our "workforce"! And, over the years I have had many friends and co-workers that live off 331. They all remarked how they hated making that drive. Of course people who live here and work here will take 331 when needed, but those traveling from I10 to SoWal do have others options. Believe me I'm not saying that all travelers find 331 dangerous or stressful.

Sorry kkddbb to get so worked up!

ShallowsNole · 07-03-2009, 08:23 PM

Kat, I knew what you were trying to say.

I have a "travel 331 or not" dilemma of my own in a couple of weeks, as I have to head for I-10 in the wee hours in order to be in Orlando at 11 am central/noon eastern for a meeting. As stated earlier, I can't see worth a flip in the dark, and I don't yet know quite what I'll do. Maybe I need to "practice" on 331...

JHA · 07-03-2009, 09:04 PM

Coming to SRB, Monday July 13 from Atlanta area. Normally, take I-10W, south of Dothan and exit Hwy 331 to US 98. Considering all the construction should I consider taking the SR 79 exit off I-10 to US 98 on west end of PCB? Thanks.

ASH · 07-04-2009, 10:10 AM

You may be a good candidate for taking 79 North in Panama City Beach

30ABandMan · 07-04-2009, 10:22 AM

The construction is a non-issue, come your normal way.

ShallowsNole · 07-04-2009, 12:42 PM

Or, stay on 231 south of Dothan (if that's what you will be on), past I-10, right on 20, 20 miles to 79, left on 79 to PCB. But, the construction on 331 isn't bad except for the blinking lights.

I can give you some interesting routes from Dothan to I-10 that are shorter, but you have to be watchful for livestock (not kidding here - I once came around a curve and there was a cow in the road).