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Destin Debates U.S. 98 Project: Plans to Six-Lane Part of Highway Irks City Officials

Posted on: Wednesday, 22 March 2006, 12:00 CST

By Patrick Mcdermott, Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach

Mar. 22--DESTIN -- City officials like being included in the Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization's long range plan, but could do without one of the four potential road projects.

The tentative long range needs list, still in draft form and awaiting approval from the TPO next month, has three sections of U.S. Highway 98 slated for widening. One of the six-lane stretches would run from the Marler Bridge over East Pass to Gulf Shore Drive.

TPO studies show the section will be deficient in service by 2030. But Destin sees widening the stretch as a big problem.

"There's just no way we would want to see that six lanes," City Engineer Chuck Meister said after a forum on the needs plan Tuesday night. "It would be a disaster."

City Councilman Larry Williges remembers a similar proposal from the Florida Department of Transportation a couple years ago that got shot down, and said he was surprised to see the issue "resurrected."

"People were up in arms," Williges recalled. "They didn't want it and the DOT dropped their push."

Jeanie Alexander, civil engineer with consulting firm HDR Inc., said the project was identified by a committee and a land use analysis of the area looking 20 years ahead.

Williges also said the widening would work against the city's new multi-modal plan, which is aimed to encourage alternate means of traveling like biking and walking.

However, the city does appreciate any help it can get with developing an east-west corridor parallel to U.S. 98. The needs list identifies the demand to realign roads like Azalea Drive, Stahlman Avenue and other streets.

Only a handful of people turned out for Tuesday's forum.

"As a resident of Destin I'm looking forward to the east-west corridor so I can stay off (U.S.) 98," said Jim Ward.

The TPO updates the long range needs plan every three to five years. The organization's technical coordinating committee also has recommended nixing the widening and focusing on the collector.

The draft goes to the TPO next month. The Destin forum was one of several held throughout the area. Daily News Staff Writer Patrick McDermott can be reached at 863-1111, Ext. 394.

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Copyright (c) 2006, Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach

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Source: Northwest Florida Daily News

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