U.S 90 through Milton could be four-laned
MILTON - The notion of four-laning U.S.Highway 90 has been a topic of discussion for decades, but has born little fruit. The state road, much like the old county courthouse, has for years been criticized as-among other things- too cramped.
Any local resident or commuter has no doubt at some time been caught in the long line of traffic at the "bottle-neck," created by a narrow corridor through downtown, and the Blackwater River Bridge.
Now, the citizens of Milton will soon have the opportunity to participate in a survey, which may influence the solution to this problem.
Beginning later this month all residents within city limits will receive a survey in the mail seeking input on the four-laning process, as well as alternative routes, from which the citizenry will select their most preferred.
If 90's current path is to ever be four-laned, it will inevitably require the demolition of one or more historic buildings, but especially the Fisher and Hamilton building, which sits on the southeast corner of Willing and Caroline streets at the mouth of the Blackwater River Bridge.
To help protect the historic downtown, a four lane southern by-pass- utilizing Old Highway 90-has been suggested. This alternative route would still offer four lane access, connecting Forsyth in Bagdad to present day 90 at Glover Lane, while saving historic structures and the character of the downtown.
"This is one of the most important future projects the city has. It means a great deal to us to be able to connect to the other side of the river, or that there be a four lane access to the other side," says Milton mayor Guy Thompson.
"The city has taken the lead at this point and we're going to move one way or the other," he says.
Years ago the city chose the southern bypass as the official route it endorsed and Thompson says it remains that way to this day.
The need for some type of four laned thoroughfare surfaced again recently during Monday's City Council meeting, when City Planner Randy Jorgenson gave a routine report on the results of the Historic Preservation Board's last meeting.
At that meeting Jorgenson says the Board made a recommendation to the city that they take action to ensure the preservation of the Fisher and Hamilton building and to advise them there was grant money available to do so.
"We want the downtown to be a destination, not a place you pass through," says Mike Lewis, Chair of the Board for Historic Preservation.
The council decided not to move forward with the board's recommendation in fear it would limit their options in the future if a four lane route through downtown was deemed the best decision.
"As mayor I want to do what we can to protect any historic building but I want to be a realist too, and I want to balance it," Thompson says.
Hypothetically speaking, the mayor says, "If you look at the southern route and it cost $70 million and to four lane through downtown cost $30 million, what does common sense tell us?"
Local business owners are concerned about this line of dialogue, none more so than Casandra Sharp who happens to own two businesses across the street from each other on Hwy. 90-the Mainstreet Café and the historic Milton Post Office, which she has been restoring for months.
"I don't think it should be so cut and dry," says Sharp. I think we should look to the future. The cheapest does not always mean the best. We need to look at what is best, then let's try and find the money."
"It's not an option to take down the historic structures, this is a historic downtown, it's on the national registry, that should offer us some protection."
Sharp says she hopes the citizens will educate themselves when selecting a preferred route, and that they know what they're chosing and what they're giving up.
The downtown historic district is nationally recognized and classified 4F, or "protected," says Tommy Speights, public information officer for the Department of Transportation. "It would be very difficult to disturb a historic district," he says.
Four-laning either route of Highway 90 is currently not in the DOT's 20 year work plan, and would require a Project Development Environmental Study which looks at the socio-economic, environmental, cultural, and historical impacts, as well as the input of different state agencies and the public.
Presently, the Fisher and Hamilton building is owned by Santa Rosa County, and serves as the office for Public Defender Jack Behr. John Broxson, Chairman of the Santa Rosa County Commissioners, says the commission has taken no official stand, but says he is personally in favor of a southern bypass.