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Raising 331

Beach Crab
1,754 views
Anybody else heard about DOT planning to raise the road elevation of US 331 by 5 FEET :eek:
Ostensibly the reasoning is the road surface must be high enough to traverse during storm surge, since it's a primary evac route (Wait. It's the ONLY evac route) and thus can't be flooded.
Somebody forgot to tell DOT that our fine Sheriff's Dept. closes the bridge when the wind hits about 45 MPH, which tends to be the wind speed about 24-36 hours BEFORE there's any sort of storm surge that might flood the road. In other words, you ain't going anywhere ANYWAY :floor:

Of course, there's a severe problem with the adjacent and connecting driveways. Think about 331 Cafe and its' parking lot that will soon be sitting in a 5-foot deep hole next to the road. They better put in a GOOD guardrail because the way these tourists drive, somebody's going to go 'over the top' one night :biggrin:

Replies

3
Sally avatar
Beach Fanatic
#2
There are probably many spots that need to be lifted 5 feet. I've seen the road underwater, especially at the causeway. The bridge wasn't closed until about 12 hours before Ivan hit land. It all depends on how large the storm is, where it comes ashore, how fast it's moving, etc.
beachmouse avatar
Beach Fanatic
#3
It's definitely the causeway being too low that's the problem, not the Intercoastal bridge itself. No way would they be allowed to build the route that low to sea level under current code, and I'm glad there's talk about raising the route. I'm glad the FDOT is talking about taking care of what's going to become more and more of a problem. Hopefully, they'll also do some prep work so that if they ever have to four lane the route some time in the future, it can be done with as few complications as possible. The only business I see troubled by a 331 raising project is the 3-thirty-1, and a lot of the problem would be fixed by a good guard rail and closing the curb cut from the place to 331. (have all access be by that side road)

Speaking of bridges, sigh. The Mid Bay Bridge was backed up from the toll booths to somewhere between Bay Drive and Rocky Bayou for a good chunk of Saturday afternoon. Suggestions:

1. Do not ask directions at the toll booth. This backs up traffic big time. Instead, if you're lost or trying to find something, pull over and ask at the gas station, Winn Dixie, the mall, etc instead. The people who work at those places are just as likely to know how to get you where you need to go, and you won't cause problems for other motorists that way.
2. Whoever is riding shotgun should be looking for bridge fare once you get to the traffic light (southbound) or the hump in the bridge (northbound). Do not wait until you're at the toll plaza and start digging then, hoping to find that quarter you know is buried un the console somewhere.
3. Exact change is nice, but not necessary. However please don't decide that the toll plaza would be a good time to break a $50 or a $100 bill.
4. Don't worry if you accidentally find yourself in the Sun Pass only lane. Don't stop, just keep driving on through the lane. You will not get fined for the first time going through a transponder only lane without a transponder. (I think you actually get 3-5 'oopsies' from Boca on a given license plate before they start to crack down, but don't quote me)

We all want to get to the beach, so let's work together on this!
Smiling JOe avatar
SoWal Expert
#4
4. Don't worry if you accidentally find yourself in the Sun Pass only lane. Don't stop, just keep driving on through the lane. You will not get fined for the first time going through a transponder only lane without a transponder. (I think you actually get 3-5 'oopsies' from Boca on a given license plate before they start to crack down, but don't quote me)

They don't throw you in jail, but I believe they send you a ten dollar ticket in the mail. However, that was prior to them raising the toll.

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