Sorrento Road at Doug Ford Drive: Latest on the Signal Installation

FDOT will be installing a signal at Doug Ford Drive and Sorrento Road as a part of their current project on this roadway.  I have not seen any work on this signal over the last 10 weeks, so I requested an update from our traffic engineer Chris Phillips, and he recently got this update from his counterparts at FDOT, below:

"Utility companies have been notified to schedule their relocation work at the proposed foundation location.  There are three underground communication lines to be relocated / adjusted to accommodate the 60” concrete drilled shaft.  To date we have heard no response from the underground utilities on when their work will begin. In January 2023, the contractor estimated up to 20 weeks to have the mast-arm and cabinet delivered to the project.  Which could potentially be sometime early June 2023.Based on the above, I am estimating the foundation to be installed approximately mid to late April, and the signal installation / operation to be sometime mid to late June."

 

FDOT Moving Forward with Signalization at Sorrento and Doug Ford Drive

This particular traffic light is being very well-received by the residents with whom I have spoken and made aware of it's impending installation....

Who would've ever thought that a traffic light's installation could bring some much positive energy?

In many instances--a new traffic light brings angst, frustration, and disappointment--especially if it will slow down a commute.

This light is different, though.  This one is being praised by just about everyone that hears it is coming--because it will greatly enhance safety on one of the most dangerous, accident prone roadways in Escambia County--Sorrento Road.

Lately there have been many improvements made on Sorrento--to include rumble strips, blacktop repair, multiple intersection improvements, and freshly-painted lines.  Many of us believe the road needs to be a four lane road, and that project is with the TPO currently and has been bumped way up on the priority list for funding by the state within the last year.

One issue many of the residents of that area have clammored for is a light at the entrance to the Perdido Bay Country Club at Sorrento Road and Doug Ford Drive--the site of much congestion during the peak tourist season and an area where too many wrecks have occurred.

After many years of diligent requests from our office and from the County--the good news came about 6 months ago that this signalized intersection warrant was approved by FDOT.  Last week came word that the project has been designed and is funded and will be added to an existing project being completed on Sorrento Road right now.  The construction of this signal has begun, and will be completed within the next "few months"  according to the email I received last week on this topic, below:

"To All:

 Traffic Operations received the signed and sealed plans last week.  We are currently working with the contactor to incorporate the signal construction into the existing project.  Construction efforts should begin this month, which includes the procurement of the necessary equipment (mast arm, controller, signal cabinet, etc.) and could take a few months.  Please feel free to reach out to Georgina Acierto-Kent...to track the status of the signal installation.

 Thank You,

 Brian Pettis

Traffic Operations

Traffic Services Program Manager"

Traffic Light at Doug Ford Drive and Sorrento---UPDATE

Improbable as it may seem--when, not if, but when we complete the project to install a long-needed, much anticipated stop signal at the intersection of Doug Ford Drive and Sorrento Road in District 1--it will be an achievement of monumental significance.

The scene of countless accidents and near misses, this intersection has been difficult for the residents, guests, and visitors to Perdido Bay Country Club for decades.

Over and over, the initiative to add a light was rejected by the state.

Fast forward to earlier this year and at long last the project has been warranted by the state and they (FDOT) will be constructing this signal in the very near future.  This comes hot on the heels of their completion of numerous safety improvements on Sorrento Road in the wake of a string of fatal accidents on this roadway.  At last week's massive town hall meeting in Perdido--this was a subject that came up on multiple cards.  And I said it then, half in jest, that "If there was ever a traffic signal's installation that will warrant a press interview on site upon completion--it will be this one."  

So when this is completed, I will do a press release and news conference from the site.  Because this light will make things safer and more convenient for residents and visitors and most importantly--it will save lives.  

Here, below, is the very latest on the progress toward completion of this signal---directly from an FDOT email string from early this week:

"A signal warrant analysis was recently completed for Doug Ford Road and a signal is warranted.  We are currently looking at opportunities for signal construction.  It was determined that profiled thermoplastic be used for the centerline and edge line markings for the limits of this project too.  Our consultant is going to update the plans to include them...The signal at Doug Ford Road is current in design with anticipation of constructing the signal either as part of the active RRR project, or directly following the RRR project if there is significant delay in procuring the signal equipment."

So this is great news.  It's coming.

More Good News for Sorrento Road: Signal Warranted and will be Constructed at Sorrento Road and Doug Ford Drive

District 1 citizens attempting to enter Sorrento Road from Doug Ford Drive will soon see something like this at the intersection---allowing for safe egress for these drivers

Many people have worked for many years to get a light at Doug Ford Drive and Sorrento Road.  I've spoken countless times to FDOT, been on the scene with residents, discussed it at TPO meetings, and sent this letter to FDOT District 3 Secretary Phillip Gainer in early July.  I had the opportunity to meet with Secretary Gainer and FDOT secretary Jared Perdue again just this last Monday at NAS Pensacola.  And the light at Sorrento and Doug Ford was discussed again.

I've brough it dozens of times now, like a broken record.

We now, as of today,  have confirmation of what was rumored to have been true late last week.

FDOT has completed its latest signal warrant study on the Doug Ford Drive at Sorrento Road Intersection and the signal there is warranted.

In the past, studies have come back and such a signal has not been found to have been necessary.

But the most recent study has come back recommending a signal.

This location, where Perdido Bay Country Club exits onto Sorrento Road, is a jam packed roadway for traffic going to and from Perdido Key.  Often the scene of wrecks--residents have reported to me over and over the difficulty in getting out onto Sorrento Road--especially if making a left (heading eastbound) on Sorrento.

Many simply make right turns then go into the Winn Dixie parking lot down the street to turn around safely and head eastbound.

So this light will serve to allow residents to safely exit this subdivision/country club and will also serve to slow down traffic that sometimes (oftentimes) comes speeding around this corner on the way to or from the beach.

A light at this intersection will also make it safer to make a left turn into the Perdido Bay Country Club from the west on Sorrento Road heading eastbound--which currently is very dangerous.

In addition to this light at Doug Ford and Sorrento--I am also told by staff that "...the striping along Sorrento Road will have an auditory profile to warn motorists of lane departures.  These were previously included on Bauer to Blue Angel.....they are now included from Innerarity to Bauer [as well]."

This week I will work with county traffic staff and FDOT to see if this signal can be added to the currently underway project on Sorrento that FDOT is doing.  If this can be done it will save tax dollars while also speeding up the completion of this signal.

There will be much more good news on Sorrento Road this week on Thursday.   I plan on bringing a plan to the BCC to fund the PD&E for Sorrento Road's 4-lane widening plan--which will serve to shave as much as five years off of the timeline for us to completed this desperately needed widening project in District 1.  

Much more to come on that later in the week.