The Perdido Key Roundabout is built. It works as designed. I was at Perdido Key yesterday and it was functioning smoothly. Some folks are happy with it, others want additional measures implemented, still others want it scrapped.
One thing I can say with certainty: This traffic feature has been divisive--which is unfortunate. As an example-- I offer this email exchange from this morning....I've had several like it from both supporters of the roundabout and detractors as well.
"Dear Mr. Jeff Bergosh
I am a Canadian snow bird and
been coming to Perdido Key for over 15 years, watching it grow every year along
with downtown Pensacola and for the most part very pleased.
But my main peace now is the
round about at Johnson Beach rd. It s way too small I do not even think it
complies with US Government recommendations https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/00067/000676.pdf
In my opinion it is about 40-60
ft shy in diameter there is not deterrent for south bound travelers to slow
done at all they can enter round about at 50 + per hour and not even have to
slow down it needs to be enlarged to be safer and I am surprised you have not
gotten any law suites from accidents there but I’m sure you will just saying..
because if I get clobbered there I will bring my dash can video to court and
will be suing Pensacola and the driver who hit me.. Been 3 close call just this
winter alone from people who fail to yield ….
XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Canada"
To Which I replied:
Hello XXXXXXXX,
Thanks for the email of concern. I have received
several just like this one. By contrast, I have also received several of
late that appreciate the county building the traffic circle. FULL
DISCLOSURE: I am not a traffic engineer, but I am told by the
traffic engineers that the roundabout’s size is sufficient. I
have driven it from every angle and have found it to work adequately. We
have applied a number of additional measures to the roundabout to make it even
more effective, safe, and efficient—however no amount of engineering can
account for unsafe driving behavior of some who speed through the roundabout,
drive over it, and are reckless. This is why we all must drive
defensively.
A little history for you XXXXXXX…..Upon this area reverting
to District 1 in early 2022 after a decennial census dictated we had to
rebalance our 5 county voting districts---this project had already been
designed and funded and was “shovel-ready.” In addition to this---the
citizens of Perdido Key had been consulted with numerous town hall meetings
where they were asked which of three options they preferred on this county
owned road. 1. No build of anything—status quo 2. A traffic
signal or 3. A roundabout. Overwhelmingly—the citizens chose
option 3, a roundabout. I agree with you in that it (roundabout)
seems to be off-centered and undersized, but as I stated previously, above, the
professional engineers who went to school for this and have studied these sorts
of things academically have told me, eye to eye and in my face, that
the roundabout was built as designed and is working as it was designed to work;
slowing down traffic to prevent high speed wrecks while also allowing for a
safer left turn solution from Johnson’s Beach Road going West back toward
Alabama. Furthermore—do to a number of environmental constraints we face on
Perdido Key and a lack of available right of way to expand the size of the
roundabout---I am told by the professionals from the county’s environmental and
traffic divisions (copied on this email) that enlarging the circle is
impossible. If I am wrong in this, again—they are copied and I’m asking
for them to correct my understanding of this.
So let me make this perfectly plain. If we can enlarge
the circle, if this would improve safety, I am committed to doing it.
Enough have requested it of me and I have a budget for it. Chris
Phillips and Tim Day—can we do this? We are still watching the
operation of the roundabout and considering a bypass solution which could
de-conflict some of the traffic going into the circle. When I receive a
final determination on whether or not we can do that—I will take decisive
action and act on the recommendation.
In closing, XXXXXXXX, I offer this: What I have learned
in nearly 18 years in local public office is that no solution will please all
people. To quote the famous trope from Goldilocks and the Three Bears—The
porridge will never be just right—it is always too hot or cold.
With this said, I am always willing to re-assess a decision in light of
new input and data from knowledgeable sources so your comments and
considerations below are duly noted. Thanks for your email, and I hope
you enjoy your winter down here in America.
Sincerely,
Jeff Bergosh
District 1 Commissioner
Escambia Board of County Commissioners
