Traffic Backed Up to Owls Head 7-11-09

[DuneLaker]

I guess this is really good news. Came back from DeFuniak Springs today at 4 p.m. and the traffic into SoWal on 331 was backed up to Owls Head!!! That is a few miles north of the light at 331 and 20 in Freeport. But, come on down! Saw one truck take off over the covered up old road to Freeport to the west. A Sheriff car was soon in pursuit. That was interesting. When we finally got to 98 the lights were flashing and at least four sheriff vehicles and attending sheriff deputies were directing traffic. It was stop and go and the usual trip of about 40 minutes from DeFuniak to SoWal took about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Smooth sailing once we hit 98. We glanced over at WaterColor Publix on 395 and of course it was packed. Beautiful day. Hope everyone makes it in to SoWal in time to see the great sunset. Have a great week. I'll have to remember to just stay up in DeFuniak on Saturdays a little later for a few more weeks if I happen to be up there for any number of reasons.

 

[ShallowsNole]

According to ShallowsFuzz, the backup southbound is becoming a regular weekend event. I was used to it going northbound in the mornings, but southbound was always pretty smooth.

Guess I'm going to Destin instead of DeFuniak tomorrow

 

[beachmouse]

Ouch. The family was in town today and we ended up at TR Frog's at the corner of 20 and White Point Road for dinner (edible food, but you can do better at that price point) and the folks the next table over said that it had just taken them 40 minutes to get from the Rocky Bayou Bridge to the 20/White Point turnoff and we actually suggested they go toward 331 instead of taking the Mid Bay Bridge because we thought it might be quicker without having to deal with the toll booths.

Guess not.

 

[30ABandMan]

Yep, we were caught in it too. Decided to Yolo Board at Senor Mohitos' until it cleared up.

 

[scooterbug44]

It wasn't so much good news as a traffic jam - because the lights were out again and the WCSO was directing traffic. :roll:

 

[DuneLaker]

Yep, we were caught in it too. Decided to Yolo Board at Senor Mohitos' until it cleared up.

Hey, I think I saw you. We had plenty of time to look. At least some were having fun.

 

[DuneLaker]

It wasn't so much good news as a traffic jam - because the lights were out again and the WCSO was directing traffic. :roll:

Oh, guess that wasn't good news. Wonder why they were out? I hear numbers are still up and okay at some of the resorts, etc. so glad business is doing okay. We actually had traffic from I-10 on down. The light might have just added to the issue as we got further south. Beach was great today, though. Perfect water and weather.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Yes, it is a weekly Saturday thing. Traffic heading north on 331 backs up almost a mile east and west of 331 on 98 from around 930am-11am, and around 3-5pm, traffic heading south on 331 is bumper to bumper, but moving, from hwy 98 up past hwy 20. Just be patient, or plan around those times.

 

[Joefromseagrove]

It wasn't so much good news as a traffic jam - because the lights were out again and the WCSO was directing traffic. :roll:

I think the police turn the traffic lights off when they are directing traffic.

 

[ckhagen]

I know from experience that the backup into Niceville over mid-bay is a Friday and Saturday standard, but I think this week was especially bad. I was coming back from val-p and it was bumper to bumper all the way back to k-mart. When I went over at about 1pm it was only about as far back as WinnDixie/Bluewater, but coming back at 5pm-ish was pretty insane. The toll booth causes the problem because no one can get to the Sunpass lane since the cash lanes are so backed up. My mother in law lives right before the bride on White Point Rd. and she just doesn't bother leaving the house on Fri or Sat afternoon.