Dear editor,
On Tuesday evening, April 17, 2018, a group of individuals spoke at the (Florida Department of Transportation) public hearing for the US 90 Project PD&E Study. They were espousing that the widening of US 90 through downtown Milton would destroy the old buildings and historic value of downtown. Therefore, they want a "no-build" for the segment of Highway 90 from Stewart Street east to Ward Basin Road. Let me give you a different viewpoint. Highway 90 will be widened to six lanes from the Escambia River to Stewart Street. Therefore, a no build will result in six lanes of traffic to Stewart Street, four lanes from Stewart Street to Canal Street and then two lanes through the historic district all the way to Ward Basin Road.
First, they said the Highway 87 extension would solve the Highway 90 problem and, therefore, the downtown segment did not need to be built. Studies by FDOT during the Highway 87 PD&E Study, however, shows that while the 87 bypass will relieve traffic through Milton for a while that in ten years after the bypass is completed the traffic through Milton will have grown back to the current day traffic counts. Where does that leave us? Also, several of the no-build speakers have purchased land along the route of the planned 87 bypass. What does this tell you about their reason for pushing the 87 bypass ahead of the Highway 90 widening?
Second, they said that the old buildings would be destroyed by increased truck traffic through downtown. Oh, the sky is falling! They can’t have their cake and eat it too. When the 87 bypass is built, the truck traffic will be reduced and less traffic will go downtown, so, less damage to any buildings. Also, the speed limit will be set by the City and FDOT is recommending 25 mph. These old buildings have withstood years, decades and some over a century of traffic. They haven’t fallen yet. Also, FDOT has designed the route of the widening of Highway 90 so that none of the historic buildings will be destroyed. The Fisher Hamilton building will be moved just 60 feet south to sit just south of the new bridge which will look very similar to the look today.
Third, they said the widening of Highway 90 would destroy the walk-ability of downtown Milton. FDOT has promised to design the roadway where there would be pedestrian friendly crossings. Also, they are allocating 1.5 percent of the total cost of the construction for beautification of downtown Milton. This could mean that the walkway along the River Walk from the South side of downtown to the North side could be enhanced and the movement from one side to the other would be more beautiful, safer and enjoyable. People on a leisurely stroll through the downtown would be able to see the riverside view of the buildings along Willing Street (once that portion of the Comprehensive Plan is completed).
If you have any questions or desire additional information, please contact Peggy Kelley, FDOT Project Manager, at 330-1517.
It is my opinion that the no-build proponents want to keep the downtown area of Milton depressed so they can ask for more grants to improve their properties and move the actual future development to the East along the Highway 87 bypass where they own property. This is for their own personal gain, not what is best for Milton.
JIMMY MESSICK
Milton
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This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: LETTER: Chicken Little has come to Milton