FDOT: Highway 29, Highway 97 Traffic Signal Installation Delayed

January 13, 2015

Plans were complete months ago and Escambia County made a deposit of just over a quarter of a million dollars for the Florida Department of Transportation to install a new traffic signal at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino. FDOT was set to begin construction by December 31, but now transportation officials say the start date for the project has been delayed.

Ian Satter, public information director for the local FDOT district, said Monday that several factors led to the delay. He said the redesign of the intersection turned out to be a more complex process than was originally anticipated, and the contractor needed more time to order additional materials as a result.

Now, Satter said, FDOT expects the contractor will begin work in February.

“We apologize that is has taken this long, but it was necessary to work with the contractor while still working to complete the project in a timely fashion,” Satter said.

District 5 Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry, who led the push for the county to fund the traffic signal, said he was disappointed that work was not already underway, but the situation was understandable.

“I understand the reason for the delay, but I still apologize to our residents,” Barry said. “I am aware, very concerned, and I commit to work with our partners to help accomplish a timely, positive outcome.”

In October 2013, the Escambia County Commission affirmed its support for improvements at the intersection and expressed a willingness for the county to pay for the red light at the intersection. A Florida Department of Transportation study determined the intersection did meet the criteria for the light, with an agreement in place that FDOT would design and construct the upgrades with Escambia County paying for the construction.

FDOT  completed the design phase. and the Escambia County Commission approved $265,400 in funding last August, with the payment made October 29.

A few days later, a 16-year old Northview High School student died as a result of injuries she received in an accident in the intersection.

A FDOT “Signal Warrant Study” found the following information that supported the urgent need for a traffic signal at the intersection:

  • There have been 37 documented crashes reported by the Crash Analysis Reporting System from 2008 to 2013.
  • 10 of the reported collisions resulted in injury where one or more people required transportation to a medical facility.
  • 22 of the reported crashes were of the type of collisions susceptible to correction by the installation of a traffic signal.
  • In 2011 there were five left-turn crashes.
  • In 2012 there were eight left-turn crashes.
  • In the last three years, the number of reported crashes at this intersection was significantly greater than the statistical average of similar roadway facilities in FDOT’s District 3, which is made up of the 16 westernmost Counties in the panhandle.

A second upcoming project will redesign the intersection of Crabtree Church Road and Highway 97, which is currently just feet away from Highway 29.

Pictured: An Escambia County deputy collided with a Mercedes in the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 about a week after Escambia County made a payment to FDOT for a traffic light at the juncture. There were no injuries in the crash, which came one day after a wreck that claimed the life of a 16-year old high school student. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

9 Responses to “FDOT: Highway 29, Highway 97 Traffic Signal Installation Delayed”

  1. 429SCJ on January 16th, 2015 6:07 am

    Irresponsible or Criminal?

    You know that there is danger and you continue to procrastinate.

  2. Christine Flowers on January 14th, 2015 8:17 am

    When going and coming to work for the last 5 years I had to cross over 29 and felt I was taking a chance of having a serious accident. How many lives have to be lost due to not safe control of traffic at the intersection of 29 and 97? Has it been out of sight, out of mind due to it being located at north end of county. Who ever is responsible for the future traffic light God bless them. Too bad it’s taken so long, pray there are no more losses mean while. It is a truly scary section, and I have prayed many times for safe passage and for the memories of those who suffered at the poor design.

  3. matt on January 14th, 2015 6:33 am

    So have the FDOT tell the next family that loses a loved one there they are sorry for the delay

  4. melodies4us on January 13th, 2015 7:31 pm

    I agree with JSCS.

  5. JSCS on January 13th, 2015 3:05 pm

    Just another case of hurry up and wait.

    The entrance to Crabtree Church Rd. is a big problem now. It will be even worse when the signal is installed if they don’t correct the problem at that time.

  6. molino res. on January 13th, 2015 9:54 am

    FDOT obtains the crash data from FHP. The data is pulled by how each individual trooper inputs the crash location. If the trooper puts the location down as “at the intersection of 29 and 97″ then it would go into the total. If he/she inputs it as “on 29 50 feet south of 97 and 29″ for example it would not be included even though we all perceive it to be at the intersection. This is probably why the total is low.

  7. deBugger on January 13th, 2015 5:02 am

    Mr. Steve Barry, from my personal experiences with him in regard to the ONgoing (& going & going, and…) Jack’s Branch Road upgrade, is one of the finest commissioners we’ve had from the North End in quite some time.

    I do believe I’m going to vote for him again.

  8. Jane on January 13th, 2015 4:04 am

    I am not sure where FDOT got the idea that there were only 37 crashes. Everyone who lives near this intersection can tell you there is at least 2-6 accidents there every month. Last month there were 4 that I know of. I would like to see some real data on these accidents.

  9. Montrez on January 13th, 2015 3:24 am

    As a northwest citizen of Escambia County, that live in the neighborhood as some folks may still call it “The Quarters.”( District 5) can say the Secretary Ms. Dawn of Commission Barry office has been God sent!! Now Mrs. Barry we maybe not have an delegate official on this end, beside Century, however we pay tax, an expert the same treatment. Take a ride an visit the condition of your district on a Monthly basis.

    Thank you!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News