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Residents, commissioner push North Paquito stoplight priority after TPO survey; FDOT to review
Summary
Residents and a commissioner said a Transportation Planning Organization survey elevated a proposed stoplight at North Paquito Road and Lewis Turner Boulevard from ninth to third priority, and that the Florida Department of Transportation will next review the project.
Residents and a commissioner thanked public participants after a regional survey elevated a proposed stoplight at North Paquito Road and Lewis Turner Boulevard to a higher priority on the Okaloosa–Walton Transportation Planning Organization list.
"On Thursday, May 15, our County Commissioner, Ms. Carolyn Kechel, called me regarding our proposed stoplight at North Paquito Road in Lewis Turner Boulevard," said Dave Hensley, who identified himself as representing people protecting Piccadilly Bayou and the Piketikapaiyu and Longwood communities. Hensley told the board the TPO’s online survey, which ended April 25, moved the intersection from ninth to third on the TPO’s priority list.
"First, I want to publicly thank those concerned citizens who participated in this online survey because they got the momentum going," Hensley said. He asked what steps the community should take next to turn the priority into a constructed traffic control.
Commissioner Carolyn Kechel confirmed the TPO shifted priorities and said state review is next. "So we're waiting for Florida Department of Transportation to take a look at it," Commissioner Kechel said. She added that a short-term change such as a right-turn-only modification could provide immediate relief while a light is considered: "Even if they made it a right hand turn only, it would be helpful. Whether they're gonna put a traffic light there or not yet remains to be seen."
Hensley also told commissioners the Paquito Bayou community supports a proposed modification to the Okaloosa County land development code that would restrict total clear-cutting; he did not provide specifics on the proposed language. Commissioner Kechel and Hensley both thanked local residents who responded to the TPO survey.
No formal board action on the stoplight or the land development code change was recorded during the meeting; commissioners indicated the matter is now awaiting FDOT review. The transcript does not record any FDOT timetable or required next steps from county staff.
Background: the Okaloosa–Walton TPO ranks local projects for state funding and scheduling. Moving a project higher on the TPO priority list can increase the chance a project receives state consideration; the board and local residents said they would monitor FDOT’s review.
