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County Joins Century In Asking FDOT To Prevent Hwy 29 Truck Rollovers
July 8, 2016
Escambia County is joining the Town of Century in asking the Florida Department of Transportation to address a North Century Boulevard curve that has seen multiple semi-truck rollovers.
Twice last month, semi-trucks rolled over in a curve on North Century Boulevard at Jackson Street. City and county officials believe the curve is badly designed with a slope in the outer lane that is difficult for semis to negotiate at the posted 35 mph speed limit. The amount of lean on an 18-wheeler in the outer lane is demonstrated in the photo above and at the page bottom.
Thursday night, the Escambia County Commission voted to approve a letter to FDOT requesting that immediate improvements be made — including signs to warn trucks and motorists of the tipping hazard, advance warning signage with flashing beacons and perhaps advance warning signage advising trucks to use the inside lane.
In the long term, the county is joining Century in asking that the elevation of the roadway be changed “on the approach to and through the curve is greatly needed to counteract lateral acceleration produced by the curve and should be implemented as soon as possible”.
Century Mayor Freddie McCall met Michael Lewis, FDOT traffic safety program engineer, at the curve last month so he could see the dangers first hand. Lewis agreed signage should be installed in the next few months and that a long term fix would include a change to the road elevation and slope.
Pictured page top and bottom: These photographs demonstrate how much a semi-truck leans in curve on North Century Boulevard. Pictured below: Century Mayor Freddie McCall (blue shirt) meet with Florida Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Engineer Michael Lewis (yellow vest) and FDOT Traffic Safety Specialist Matt King about a dangerous curve on North Century Boulevard last month. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
8 Responses to “County Joins Century In Asking FDOT To Prevent Hwy 29 Truck Rollovers”
A bypass of Century and Flomaton from 29 to I65 would turn both towns into ghost towns. Bad idea and both town should fight such a plan.
If they slowed down, there wouldn’t be so many or not pack as much of a load.
I hope this gets FDOT’s attention. Beyond the story of the recent rollovers I think it is very significant that the County Commissioners are on board. For Mayor McCall to be the one bringing this forth is commendable. Although this road goes through Century, it is the Northern Gateway into Escambia County, into NorthWest Florida. It represents the entire region as the first impression, the first stop. Although the boundary of the town of Century keeps a utility system going and to have leaders fighting for the best interests of the area, Highway 29 belongs to the State of Florida. Thank you Mayor McCall for going above and beyond. County Commissioners, Welcome aboard. After the safety issues are addressed. Visit Florida, Pensacola TDC, and others need to get on board to make this corridor more welcoming and beautiful. But yes, first and priority prevent a hazardous spill. NOW!!!!!!
Do all the sign postings and speed limit changes you want. Until ALL those drivers drive the speed limit, NOTHING is going to change.
This problem has been there for many years. It seems to be happenig more now due to the speed at which they go into the curve. Slow down.
This curve is pretty severe…..but it’s been there for how many decades ? The center of roadway is high ( crowned ) and slopes down ( outward) for both north and south directions. Obviously the extreme sloped design is for water run-off during heavy rains. The outside lanes ( both north & south ) have curbs so with the pretty sharp curve once a driver gets into the curve (with too much speed ) especially large (top heavy trucks ) then they might have to yank the steering wheel to avoid the curb. So now you have a top heavy truck with too much speed going into a sharp curve with a severe right lean then maybe having to yank steering wheel to miss the curb….the momentum and lean then the curve and the curb is just too much at one time for large top heavy vehicles . Without major roadway tear-out & re-do ( big $$$$ and delays & detours ). Might have to limit trucks to the right lane…..reduce speed to 25 mph for maybe mile or so ? Hand out a few hundred tickets & it would all work out !
A Century/Flomaton bypass, connecting hwy 29 to the I-65 corridor would be wonderful. There would be no red lights and the sleepy charm of the towns would be preserved, citizens not being bothered by the traffic generated by the present configuration.
Let these towns have peace and tranquility.
I think the cooperation between Century and the County is a remarkable connection that is being forged. In my opinion, FDOT is bordering on being negligent and I begin to wonder who FDOT answers to and perhaps this should be brougjht up the chain further so that they also get pressure from the top not just a cordial request although that is appreciated. This affects not only citizens in FDOTs jurisdiction. Go above and send the letter to the Federal DOT. Governor Scott.