Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Milton council to seek public input on Highway 90/Willing Street traffic changes
Summary
A Milton resident urged removing or limiting the right-hand turn from westbound Highway 90 onto North Willing Street to ease recurring backups. Council agreed to refer the issue to the CIB for a public forum and noted a grant-funded traffic study is under way.
Howard Steele, a Saratoga Avenue resident, urged Milton leaders to eliminate or time-limit the right-hand turn from westbound Highway 90 onto North Willing Street, saying the turn creates an “accordion” effect that worsens congestion near the courthouse redevelopment.
The council agreed this evening to refer the matter to the Capital Improvement Board (CIB) for a public forum and outreach to downtown business owners before making any permanent changes. Steven, a CIB member, said the CIB had discussed one-way concepts and recommended a public meeting so business owners and other stakeholders can identify “true needs and wants” before the council acts.
Mr. Spears told the council that because Willing is a city street, the city can pursue changes within its right of way, but several members cautioned that changes affecting private access could hurt local businesses. Some members proposed short-term pilot tests — for example, temporarily closing a turn for two weeks — to evaluate real-world impacts before permanent redesigns.
Staff noted that a grant-funded traffic study for Highway 90 is already approved and expected to produce recommendations; several council members recommended waiting for that study’s results or using its findings to shape any CIB proposal. Steven said he would work with staff to schedule a public forum “sooner than later” and suggested holding the meeting at Liberty Church or another nearby venue to gather input from business owners and residents.
Quotes capturing the debate included Howard Steele’s call for either eliminating the right-hand turn or restricting it to certain hours, and Steven’s statement that “one-way is absolutely an item” in the FDOT plans for Highway 90, an argument for moving the discussion forward rather than waiting indefinitely.
Next steps: the council directed staff and the CIB to plan public engagement and return with options; staff will also incorporate the results of the grant-funded traffic study when available.
