Thoughts on Milton’s convoluted traffic flow

Dear editor,

The recent letter, “A Plan to Help Milton Traffic” (from the March 15-17 Press Gazette) extols utilization of Berryhill Street.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t address four lanes the east side of the river through East Milton to connect to the bridges.

What a nightmare that will be.

Sometimes traffic backs up east of the river clear back to Airport Road. Now, all these cars aren’t going through Milton to shop.

Further, can you imagine the intersection of Stewart Street and Berryhill, with all the traffic leaving Berryhill to travel south on Stewart street to get to Highway 90 west again?

Forget about traveling up and down Stewart Street to get north.

Then, of course, you have the traffic traveling east that wants to get through the Stewart Street intersection to head north from Highway 90.

Considering this convoluted traffic flow, I would avoid trying to get into town to do any shopping. Sorry, Halls, and Tractor Supply, just to name a few retailers. Going to any of the eateries is also out of the question.

Further, I suspect the majority of the traffic is transiting through downtown Milton and not because they want to “pick up something” on the way to work or going home. 

So make it easier for those who want to shop and eat downtown by sending the through traffic traveling north, south, east and west around it, and the southern bypass certainly seems more realistic.

Keep in mind, traffic will increase over the years, so plan.

I also note the courthouse location was noted. One question: Why isn’t the county complex, bounded by Avalon and Highway 90, in any discussion?

If you are going to get an RFP (request for proposals) on donated land, why not include the existing county complex? There is available land there. 

It is accessible from four sides, (has) good infrastructure and is a reasonable location considering the demographic distribution of the county.

And it is only the width of a street from being in Milton.

RAY SLINGERLAND

Milton

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Thoughts on Milton’s convoluted traffic flow