Highway 97 Traffic Shifted For Hwy 29 Turn Lane

May 21, 2012

Traffic has been shifted on Highway 97 at Highway 29 as a construction project gets underway to add a new turn lane at the intersection.

Anderson Columbia will construct a right turn lane from southbound Highway 97 to southbound Highway 29.  For the next three months, drivers can expect delays, intermittent lane shifts and closures, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. However, no lane closures will be permitted between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.

“Drivers are reminded to pay attention to the speed limit when traveling through the construction area, and to use caution, especially at night when driving in work zones,” according to Tanya Sanders Branton, public information specialist for FDOT.

Pictured: Lanes have been shifted as part of the construction of a turn lane from Highway 97 to south Highway 29 in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

12 Responses to “Highway 97 Traffic Shifted For Hwy 29 Turn Lane”

  1. molinomommy on May 25th, 2012 11:46 am

    Like I said before, it is a highway for a reason, maybe there would be less accidents there if, like JW said, people would OBEY the road rules…

  2. Jane on May 23rd, 2012 6:35 am

    At least twice, sometimes three times a week there is an accident at this intersection. Yes, a light would slow down traffic…that is the point. If you drive up 29 doing the speed limit you will see cars flying past you and in their hurry to pass you they come close to hitting other cars!

  3. David Huie Green on May 22nd, 2012 9:58 pm

    REGARDING:
    “If Byrneville has to have a red light then I think this location definitely needs one. ”

    Byrneville doesn’t have to have a light. It was installed to ease evacuation from the school in an emergency. It doesn’t really help anything.

    Still – - – It’s fun to watch the light change colors and to wait on it to turn green while there is nothing in sight in either direction. This helps build patience and character and is thereby a good thing.

    The extra lane at 29 and 97 is also a good thing even though it probably won’t help people develop patience as much as the current set-up does.

    David for good things

  4. jw on May 22nd, 2012 6:42 pm

    There is nothing challenging or difficult about the Hwy 97/Hwy 29 intersection. It rarely ever takes more than a minute or two to go through and I’ve never had a “close call” driving through it each day. Just know your road rules, follow them, and drive defensively. It really isn’t that big of a deal.

  5. molinomommy on May 22nd, 2012 10:29 am

    A traffic light there would be idiotic!! During certain times of the day the traffic is not bad at all there, and not to mention, it would slow up a long stretch of hwy 29, which is a HIGHWAY for a reason, HELLO!

  6. dick tracy on May 21st, 2012 10:25 pm

    The accidents will double with this new turn lane.

  7. 429SCJ on May 21st, 2012 11:48 am

    I drive past the 97/29 junction and cross over to the 29 southbound and backtrack to the
    junction and make a right turn onto 97. Less confusion, less drama than turning left from
    the 29 northbound onto 97.

    I agree with NO TRAFFIC LIGHT, a light would reduce the element of danger and consequently, the excitement of just throwing on that turn signal and letting the chips fall.

    I have crossed intersections all over this old world and I find that 29/97 neve fails to stimulate and challenge.

  8. Byrneville boy. on May 21st, 2012 11:08 am

    If byrneville has to have a red light then I think this location definitely needs one. Everytime you turn around there is a wreck in Molino. With the school a mile from this intersection we need to think about the safety of our kids instead of the people that are in a hurry driving 65-70 through that intersection.

  9. EMD on May 21st, 2012 9:26 am

    Seems a traffic light would be easier and less expensive.

  10. NO traffic light on May 21st, 2012 9:25 am

    I knew the “Traffic Light” comment was coming..As soon as I saw the headline!

    Molino needs no trafiic light – my opinion.

  11. Lynn Hoskins on May 21st, 2012 9:02 am

    Jane is right! I live down Crabtree Church, drivers headed toward Atmore get mad at me having to wait for oncoming traffic to turn left. They honk their horns and flip me off as they drive around me in the dirt. Sorry my way home is inconvenient for you!!!!

  12. Jane on May 21st, 2012 7:42 am

    When are they going to put up a stop light? A turn lane won’t make it any safer at that interesection…there are too many accidents there!