Sorrento Road Improvements Coming--BIG FDOT Project Commencing this December

 At last week's meeting of the Florida/Alabama Transportation Planning Organization, some fairly significant news was shared with the group assembled in Gulf Breeze.

A long awaited project to resurface the state's Sorrento Road from Bauer Road Eastward to Blue Angel Parkway is fully designed, funded, and will be let to a contract this December.  

Currently--this roadway is littered with potholes and uneven pavement.  It has also been the scene of numerous fatal accidents over the last several years.

This project will resurface the road, add paved shoulders, and other improvements.  The larger project to 4-lane this roadway is moving up the priority list---from #18 (where it lingered under a former commissioner) to now being #6 under new district leadership.

Look for much more on this roadway-but in the meantime--take a look at the project details, below.

Is the Perdido Key Roundabout Helping or HAMPERING the Flow of Traffic there?

Traffic was backed up from the Wal Mart at Sorrento and Blue Angel all the way to the "Roundabout" at Johnson's Beach Road and Perdido Key Drive on Perdido Key Saturday....

Extra signage.  Extra rumble strips.  Additional lighting.  And still even more signage.

Yet the complaints about the Perdido Key roundabout (which was supposed to improve safety and movement in, out, and through Perdido Key) appears to be a problem.  Now I am wondering---Is this roundabout helping or HAMPERING the flow of traffic into and out of Perdido Key?

I've spoken to our traffic engineer this weekend and we are going to get to the bottom of the issue and answer that question---scientifically---over the next several weeks.  Then, we will decide a potentially new course to take.

Because once this portion of the district reverted back to D1 in January of 2022 after redistricting in 2021--the roundabout was already engineered, designed and funded by the previous commissioner from this area.  On top of that--I was assured that the roundabout was the preferred option that was voted upon by the citizens by a large margin after multiple open house meetings out there prior to 2022.

So upon assumption of this area I moved forward with construction which is now completed.  And I have been out there multiple times and driven through the roundabout from every direction with no problem. But others are having problems..... 

And now that it is constructed---I am having a hard time finding anyone, literally anybody who will publicly claim they "like" the roundabout or "support" the county's construction of it.  And I can't even find anyone from this supposed "majority" who supported it initially.  They've pulled a D.B. Cooper on me.

I am finding complaints though.  Lots.  "It's not big enough" is one common one I am hearing.

"It's backing things up" is another.  "There are a lot more wrecks now!" is yet another.

Yes---there have been a number of wrecks, and also multiple persons have blown through the roundabout, straight through it, damaging signage and plantings which had to be replaced at county expense.  According to one angry citizen: "I  hope they [the county] figure it out.  I got a feeling until the turnabout is gone and some alternative turn lanes is put in the problem will continue.  The 35' ACE Hardware delivery truck that's route takes it through there twice a week had to stop and back up and eventually just crossed striaight over the mediun in order to get through.  Impossible for any emergency vehicle or delivery truck of any size getting through without resorting to doing the same.  The ACE driver has reported it to the owner of ACE hardware who also told me the same thing."

An official very familiar with the issue summed it up succinctly: "There isn't much we can do when both roads are backed up and headed in the same direction..we can't do anything to make people move quicker across the bridge and not back up through the intersection.  Too many people on too narrow of a road."

So we are going to do an analysis and apply an appropriate  fix.  That's what we are going to do.

stay tuned.

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"

The Brass Balls Infrastructure Acceleration Plan, Part I

There is a plan coming on Thursday morning's BCC agenda which will greatly accelerate multiple desperately needed infrastructure projects that will help multiple districts, are ready for movement, require additional funding and are vital safety projects.

The project to improve and modernize Longleaf Drive will be awarded withing two weeks, and this roadway improvement will include a new bridge at Wymart road, pedestrian sidewalks on the north and south of the roadway, stormwater improvements, and a signal improvement at Pine Forest Road and Longleaf.  This important corridor is also the site of four public schools, so the addition of the sidewalks will be a tremendous safety improvement for students.

Now here's the really good news:

With the economy's recent retreat due to disastrous monetary and energy policy in Washington DC, combined with supply chain issues that have slowed many projects down, combined with a commonsense downsizing of this local Longleaf Drive project based upon 2007 traffic projections compared to 2020 actual traffic counts --the cost of this project came in significantly lower than what was originally programmed, leaving an excess of funds of around $5.6 Million.  (see breakdown, below)

So now comes the bold, brass balls approach to accelerating and supercharging some lingering, desperately needed infrastructure projects utilizing this excess LOST money.  Any time it is difficult and strenuous and requires a lot of thought, planning, and teamwork---it requires something else.  Alec Baldwin said it best in Glengarry Glen Ross--it takes brass balls....    this plan coming Thursday is aggressive, intelligent, and ballsy.

Here's the setup:

Because it has been the standing practice of the board on numerous occassions--when a bid comes in low on a district project--the commissioner of such a district has typically been shown deference in re-

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.

FDOT Working on Sorrento Road to Implement Immediate Safety Measures

 

We know Sorrento Road in District 1 has major issues.  Lots of wrecks, lots of fatalities. Lots of problems.

We've been talking about it, and the media has covered it.  Folks in FDOT have been hearing about it, as has the TPO.  

Next month the TPO will vote on the prioritization of multiple projects, and I believe with the outpouring of community concern that has been coming regarding Sorrento--that the project to widen Sorrento to 4-lanes from Blue Angel Pkwy to the Theo Baars bridge will make a major leap upwards on the list (where it currently languishes at #18).

Meanwhile, I've now heard from State Representative, Dist. 2, Alex Andrade on a host of issues FDOT is taking on right now to improve safety on Sorrento Road immediately.  Rep.  Andrade has been extremely supportive and helpful on the issue --for which I'm very appreciative.  According to Andrade:

"the following is a quick mention of the improvements along Sorento Road. These improvements and added safety features represent the  efforts underway. There are more features coming in the interim until we can provide the long term features as the projects make their way through the resurfacing program. Also we will continue to monitor the corridor for additional improvements and possible safety enhancements.

•             Construction underway for resurfacing of Sorrento Rd from Theo Baars Bridge to South of CR 293 (Bauer Rd).

            Resurfacing the pavement and upgraded signing and pavement markings

            Construction of a southbound left turn lane at Choctaw

            Construction of paved shoulders as needed

            Reconstruction of the Canal Dr. intersection at SR 292 (Perdido Key Drive)

             Adding keyhole bike lanes at the existing westbound right turn lanes near the Dollar General and in front of the Perdido Bay Baptist Church and Merlin Ave.

             Extension of the newly constructed left turn lane from Innerarity Point Road to the existing three lane section at Iaca Ave. as well as the extension of the existing right turn lane at Innerarity Point Rd.

            Adding audible and vibratory pavement markings on outside edge line and centerline.

•             Construction underway for intersection improvement at SR 292 Sorrento Rd and CR 293 (Bauer Rd.) to construct an eastbound right turn lane, northbound right turn lane, and extend the westbound right turn lane and westbound left turn lane.  New pedestrian crosswalks with pedestrian signals are also included.

•             We are closely monitoring Doug Ford Rd. and have an ongoing speed study in this area.  The speed study is nearing completion.

•             Construction underway for turn lane improvements at the intersection of SR 292 Sorrento at CR 292A Innerarity Point Intersection.  This project will add a southbound left turn lane, eastbound right turn lane, and extended the westbound left turn lane. Intersection lighting was also included. Construction is estimated to be complete in the near future.

•             SR 292 Sorrento Rd/ Gulf Beach Hwy from CR 293 to CR 292A is currently being considered as a candidate resurfacing project for design in FY 24 and construction in FY 26.  Additional safety improvements will be considered during design of the resurfacing.

•             The Department is conducting immediate safety improvements to install outside and centerline vibratory and audible pavement makings as well as speed feedback signs between Bauer Rd and Blue Angel Pkwy; set to begin in August. 

•             Left turn lane on Sorrento Rd at Nighthawk Ln is currently in construction."

How YOU Can Help the State DOT Properly Prioritize 4-Lanes for Sorrento Road

 

We need citizens to speak to the state via their (FDOT's) online survey which is open until the end of July.  If you think Sorrento Road needs four lanes, massive FHP patrol increases, and safety enhancements--please join me in telling this to FDOT.   See the link to do so in this post, below.

It really comes down to the citizens on this one.

The old adage is true--the squeaky wheel gets the oil.

Sorrento Road had a planned 4-lane project PD&E years ago that was summarily cancelled in early 2015 after the D2 commission race that year led to a new commissioner coming into the seat with different priorities.  Elections have consequences.

4-lanes on Perdido Key drive died after that.  Dead and buried, and so did the PD&E and project to 4-lane Sorrento Road.  That's the undisputable fact of reality that occurred and it has been a problem ever since.

Meanwhile, the crosses keep multiplying on Sorrento Road--another death just this past Monday.  I spoke to Channel 3 about it yesterday evening, I spoke at last week's TPO about it, and I've been banging the drum about Sorrento Road ever since re-districting--it was a prominantly-featured discussion point at my Perdido Key townhall.  Still, this Sorrento Road state project languishes at number 19 on FDOT's priority list locally.

This road has had 86 crashes and multiple fatalities over just the last 15 month period!  I wonder how many of those could have been avoided if the 4-lane project wasn't halted 7 years ago?  We will never know.  Meanwhile, the wrecks keep happening and people keep dying.

Now, the FDOT is doing a big project from the Baars bridge to Bauer Road.  Good--this is desperately needed and will help.  Bravo!  

But the stretch from Blue Angel to Bauer is where the deaths are happening and the bad head on collissions.  That stretch desperately needs attention.

We need more FHP (state road should have a massive influx of STATE troopers patrolling it)

We need wider lanes, 4-lanes, paved and level shoulders, rumble strips, some sort of barrier between the lanes perhaps? , and more lighting.  There is plenty of ROW (right of way) to make these improvements---the state just needs to do it and stop can-kicking.  That's my opinion.  They know this roadway has potholes, problems, and yes--lots of fatalities.

Yes--I know, I know.  A lot (if not the majority) of the wrecks are caused by impatient, careless, reckless or impaired drives.  Yes, I know.  But these sorts of folks are driving all our local roadways---yet the deaths are stacking up at a higher rate on SORRENTO ROAD---meaning there is an issue with the road moreso than just chalking it up to bad drivers.

SO HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP!

The state has an online survey up through the end of July.  It will be used to help the state and the TPO prioritize local state roadways like Sorrento Road.  It can be accessed here.  Take the survey, make your voice heard, and tell the state to do more to make Sorrento Road safer.  The survey literally takes 3 minutes to complete.  But here is the key: At the end of the survey there is a fill-in the blank box that states, literally, "Please share any additional transportation concerns below" I'd encourage citizens to write in that box something akin to the following: "Sorrento Road from Blue Angel Pkwy to the Baars Bridge is dangerous and needs state attention immediately--as there have been 86 accidents in just over a year's time.  It needs to be four laned, with shoulders, lights, rumble strips, and a barrier between the East and West bound lanes ---particularly on the stretch between Blue Angel Parkway and Bauer Roae---to prevent any more head on fatalities.  Also, this road needs a massive state police FHP operation and ongoing, enhanced patrols, to cite careless drivers!"   (or something like that)

If they hear from enough citizens--they will move and this project will get bumped up.

If everyone, collectively, shrugs their shoulders---nothing will happen and the crosses will continue to multiply and line the side of this dangerous state roadway we all drive upon to get to the beach at Perdido Key.

Help me get their attention, please!

We Need the Public's Help to Fix Sorrento Road---Here's How YOU can Help Us! Part I

There is an upcoming project priorities public workshop online at which time the public can press the state to move the project to 4-lane Sorrento Road forward.  But we need the public's help to make this happen.  Will you attend and lend your voice to this effort? 5-11-2022 at 2:00 PM Online......

Because I have served on the Florida Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) for more than 5 years- once year as Chairman,  I know all too well the issues and challenges of Sorrento Road.  I have driven it many, many times over the years---going all the way back to when I got my first car in 1984.

Others know it's dangerous, too.

After my first blog post on this topic on April 18th, local news outlets investigated.  In a series of published media reports that followed-----the issues with Sorrento were spotlighted. Sorrento Road is such a dangerous roadway--it has tallied up an incredible 85 traffic collissions over the last 15 months according to the PNJ's report.  Including multiple fatalities.

It is a narrow, dark road where folks speed between Perdido Key and West Pensacola/Pensacola--and sadly this roadway has seen far too many fatalities.  White crosses signifying the loss of loved ones dot the side of this roadway.

Something has to get done, this has to be fixed.  But why has this not happened sooner?

The state had a plan to 4-lane this roadway--as a part of a larger plan to 4-lane Perdido Key Drive, Sorrento, portions of Blue Angel Parkway and other roadways to create an alternate West to East 4-lane hurricane evacuation route out of Escambia County. but the inertia to make it happen evanesced in 2014-2015 after the departure of Assistant County Administrator Larry Newsome and the former commissioner in D2.  Sorrento got lost in the death of that project and subsequently  languished far down the list of TPO priorities.

Since that time,  the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organizations has prioritized other projects ahead of Sorrento.  

But now is the time for the citizens that drive this road to make their voices heard.  The TPO will be holding a series of public input sessions to receive citizen suggestions as to what the prioritization of Sorrento Road should be.  This is where YOU, the citizen, comes in.  We need,  no,   I NEED--your voice to be heard on Sorrento Road if you feel the state need to make it a higher priority than number 18 on the list.  Without a higher prioritization this road will not be 4-laned.

So those that are passionate about Sorrento road can attend one or all of the following workshops and speak on the topic of Sorrento Road.  Next Week's meeting will be online.  Scroll to the bottom of this

Sorrento Road Needs to be FIXED! Part I: I Heard You Loud and Clear

At my recent town hall meeting (minute 49:30) in Perdido/Innerarity--I heard the citizens loud and clear:  "FIX the Sorrento Road MESS!"

And I have heard from many constituents since then all saying the same thing:  Sorrento Road is dangerous, dilapidated, and insufficient to handle the traffic it currently has--FIX IT!

Sorrento Road is the name of state road 292 that leads from Blue Angel over into Perdido--becoming Perdido Key Drive at the intersection of Sorrento, Gulf Beach Highway, and Perdido Key Drive.

It is a road that is travelled frequently by locals and visitors alike--and it is a road that has a series of tremendous car collissions, including several fatal ones, over the last decade and a half.

At one point from 2011-2014--there was a real possibility of 4 laning Sorrento Road as the part of a larger project to provide a four lane evacuation route from Perdido Key Drive, through Sorrento Road, to Blue Angel, and ultimately out of Escambia County headed East.  That project did not come to fruition and was all but killed upon the changing of Leadership in Escambia's District 2 in 2014.

Meanwhile, the project to improve and 4 lane Sorrento Road has languished far down the priorities rankings on the Florida Alabama Transportation Planning Organization's (TPO) priorities list.  

So I told the audience at the town hall and others who have contacted me about Sorrento Road that now that it is within District 1 and I can lobby for this to be done as the commissioner representing this area and I understand the pressing nature of getting this road enhanced for safety--I am going to work as hard as I am able to get this bumped up on the priority list at the TPO so that this state road can be improved and the carnage on this roadway can end.

At last week's TPO meeting - we had a robust discussion with the panel as well as with FDOT's Bryant Paulk--culminating in my request for a formal safety audint of this state road by FDOT.  The below email was sent after the meeting by county roads division director Chris Phillips to Mr. Paulk:

"Bryant,

 This email is to follow up with written communication regarding Commissioner Bergosh’s request for a safety audit to be conducted on Sorrento Road (SR292) from Blue Angel to Innerarity Point / Gulf Beach Hwy intersection.  As discussed after the meeting, if you could provide results of the prior safety audit, it would be beneficial for my information to see what was examined for increase safety.  It would also be of benefit to see if the addition of the paved shoulders coming with this current mill and resurface project is a result of that previous safety audit.  I anticipate that since construction is about to commence for the mill and resurface and additional turn lanes at Bauer, the safety audit may take place after that construction is complete.  If there is any chance to look at the corridor sooner than later to potentially work some improvements into the current project, we would welcome that..."