Local Option Sales Tax: All Roads Lead to Somewhere

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Since its inception, more Local Option Sales Tax funds have been allocated to improve transportation – including dirt road paving and road widening – than on any other project category. Over the next few years, that investment into critical infrastructure will continue with almost $50 million in transportation projects slated for completion by 2018.

By the end of LOST III in December 2017, more than half Local Option Sales Tax revenues, or $215.5 million, will have been spent to construct and improve new highways and drainage throughout the County. This investment not only makes for a smoother commute and improves the economic health of Escambia County; it has also very likely saved lives.   

This installment of our ongoing series on Local Option Sales Tax projects discusses the impact of paving dirt roads and widening of existing roads in Escambia County. Please plan to attend one of our upcoming public meetings about Local Option Sales Tax. It's your penny and your opinion matters in planning for Escambia County's future.

VIDEO: Local Option Sales Tax at Work on County Roads

DIRT ROAD PAVING

Since the advent of Local Option Sales Tax in 1992, almost 250 miles of roads have been paved, bringing asphalt to the driveways of residents throughout the County. Residents whose roads have been paved talk of smooth rides, safer travel, cleaner air and improved property values. However, unpaved roads also have their champions who contend that a dirt road adds to the value of rural communities. There are those who move to rural areas and enjoy the aesthetics of the dirt road and don't want to exchange that for pavement and a slightly faster commute.

Not all roads are appropriate for alternative surface treatments, which is why Escambia County considers a multiple factors when prioritizing unpaved roads, including the desire of the residents along the road. Other factors considered include traffic volumes, connections to major roadways, the number of residents with direct access, school bus routes, environmental impact and right-of-way width.

Resident choice not withstanding, there are hazards associated with unpaved roads. These include:

• Public Health Troubles - EPA studies have shown that dust and other particulate matter could create health issues among those with pre-existing conditions ranging from asthma to diabetes. In addition, the health of infants and children are disproportionally impacted by disturbed dust from through traffic.
• Traffic Safety – A national study conducted by the Engineering Research Institute at Iowa State University showed that 2.3 times more people are killed per mile of travel on unpaved roads than on paved roads. The increased probability of crashes on unpaved roads is generally associated with decreased visibility due to dust and loss of traction from loose roadway materials.  
• Access to Emergency Vehicles – Some residents living along dirt roads have expressed concerns that emergency vehicles won’t be able to reach them when needed. According to Escambia County Public Safety officials, that worry is valid. When emergency vehicles travel the unpaved roads, they hit mud, sand, potholes and standing water. Unpaved roads, especially when rutted or when containing large holes, reduces travel speed, which in turn increases response times. They also increase patient discomfort, delay treatment during transport and increase delivery time to the hospital.
• Maintenance Costs – Just because a road is unpaved, doesn’t mean it is maintenance free. Escambia County Public Works maintains more than 87 miles of unpaved roads including re-grading every 30 days, adding lime rock when necessary and engaging in dust control practices. The Public Works Department currently spends approximately $4,000 per year to maintain a mile of unpaved road.
• Environmental Hazards – Unpaved roads are very susceptible to washouts during heavy rain events causing problems with erosion and sediment control. When a road washes out, material is sent downstream and can be deposited onto private property, environmentally sensitive lands or in waterways.
• Economic Benefits – Industry, even agricultural-focused businesses such as farming and timber, require infrastructure to thrive. Paving and widening roads leading to existing or potential sites for industry encourages the development of jobs and renders a real economic benefit for rural areas.

A partial list of dirt roads currently being paved or planned for the near future using Local Option Sales Tax funds include: Thompson Road, Crary Road, McNeal Road, Killam Road, Hicks Street, Eastman Lane, Campbell Road, Barrineau Park Road, Brickyard Road and Bratt Road. 

ROAD WIDENING

Many of the same issues that concern drivers and transportation planners about unpaved roads also apply to widening narrow roads. Lane width has an influence on safety, especially at certain key road locations. Vehicles typically use more of the travel lane on bends than on straight road sections, increasing the risk for collisions and off-road crashes. Widening the lanes on a bend can reduce the risk of head-on crashes by giving drivers more room to get around the bend without crossing into the opposing lane. Similarly, widening turn lanes can improve safety, especially for larger vehicles. Widening traffic lanes on straight sections of multi-lane roads can reduce sideswipe crashes.

Widening a road doesn’t always mean wider lanes. Adding shoulders to a narrow road, can also improve safety, and not just for drivers. Pedestrians and bicycyists benefit as well. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials cites safety, capacity and maintenance as reasons to support the construction of these so called “safety shoulders.” Many of these benefits apply both to shoulders on rural highways and marked, on-street bike lanes on urban roadways.

13 Reasons Paved Shoulders Are Safer from Walkable.org 

We need your help to determine what kind of improvements you’d like to see in your neighborhood. Please plan to join us at an upcoming public meeting to discuss future projects or take our online survey to let us know where you want Escambia County to be in 2028. 

Upcoming Meeting Schedule:

• Tuesday, October 7, 5:30 p.m. at Charity Chapel, 5820 Montgomery Ave
• Tuesday, October 14, 5:30 p.m. at Brownsville Community Center, 3100 West DeSoto Street
• Thursday, October 16, 5:30 p.m. at Perdido Bay Community Center, 13660 Innerarity Point Road 
• Monday, October 20, 5:30 p.m. at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 800 Nine Mile Road
• Thursday, October 23, 5:30 p.m. at Jim Bailey Middle School, 4110 Bauer Road
• Tuesday, October 28, 6 p.m. at Pensacola Beach Community Church, 918 Panferio Drive

For more information, visit MyEscambia.com/community/lost, follow @EscambiaLOST on Twitter for forthcoming information and email [email protected].

Read other articles on LOST:

• Local Option Sales Tax:Your Penny at Work
• Why Drainage Matters