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This installment of our ongoing series on Local Option Sales Tax projects discusses the importance of traffic calming and pedestrian safety to residents of Escambia County. Please take a moment to complete the short, interactive survey located at the end of the article or 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.
TAKE A SHORT INTERACTIVE SURVEY ON TRAFFIC CALMING, SIDEWALK AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ISSUES (This survey is now closed. Please take one of our other online surveys regarding: Customer Satisfaction with Public Safety Services or Parks & Community Centers.)
Speeding, cut through traffic and unsafe driving practices on neighborhood streets cause concerns about the safety and livability of our neighborhoods. Dangerous driving behaviors create unsafe road conditions for others, including pedestrians, bicyclists and other drivers.
In an effort to safeguard the wellbeing of all residents, Escambia County has invested more than $8 million in Local Option Sales Tax funds to construct traffic calming, sidewalk and other pedestrian safety projects since 2006.
VIDEO - LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX: TRAFFIC CALMING & SIDEWALKS
Traffic Calming
Traffic calming consists of physical design, put in place on roads with the intention of slowing down or reducing motor-vehicle traffic and improving safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. Although there are many strategies used by urban planners and traffic engineers, the two most common types of traffic calming methods used in Escambia County are:
Both speed humps and speed tables have been shown to reduce traffic volumes and speed on streets where they have been installed.
Escambia County’s traffic calming program is overseen by the Traffic Division of the Public Works Department and is only installed in a neighborhood upon request. Traffic calming efforts can be funded as a Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU), which requires adjacent property owners to fund a portion of the cost to implement. For larger projects, and with consensus of the majority of neighborhood residents, Local Option Sales Tax funding may be available.
If you have a question about traffic calming, or need instructions on how to get a petition processed, please email or call the Traffic Division at (850) 595-3404.
Policies & Procedures for Requesting Traffic Calming Installed in Your Neighborhood.
Sidewalks
Many streets and roads in Escambia County were originally designed for automotive travel, with little consideration given to the needs of walkers. Lack of sidewalks and construction of sidewalks too close to roads discourage people from walking regularly. Well-maintained sidewalks are also important to neighborhood health because they improve the appearance of neighborhoods and increase property values. That’s why funds from the Local Option Sales Tax have been used to pay for almost $7 million in sidewalk improvements in Escambia County in recent years. In some cases, this funding has been used to leverage money obtained from grant programs such as Safe Route to Schools (SRTS) programs.
SRTS programs are part of the solution to increase physical activity and improve unsafe walking and bicycling conditions. Walking or biking to school allows children time for physical activity, creates a sense of responsibility and fosters independence. SRTS programs – in partnership with the Escambia/Santa Rosa Community Safety Team – place an emphasis on reducing traffic congestion, slowing vehicle speed and focusing on keeping children safe.
Teach Your Child How to Walk to School Safely: Tips from SafeRoutesInfo.org
Other Pedestrian Safety Efforts
Escambia County is also using Local Option Sales Tax funds to step up other efforts to make it easier to step out, including the installation of crosswalks in areas of high pedestrian traffic.
In order to provide the highest level of safety to those crossing at marked intersections, new crosswalks have been constructed using enhanced techniques to draw attention to pedestrians. Among these supplementary efforts are:
If the fourth round of Local Option Sales Tax moves forward, the County will continue mid- and long range planning to enhance and improve or traffic safety efforts. However, we need your help to determine what kind of improvements you would 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:
For more information, visit MyEscambia.com/community/lost, follow @EscambiaLOST on Twitter for forthcoming information and email [email protected].
Read other articles on LOST:
The mission of Escambia County government is to provide efficient, responsive services that enhance our quality of life, meet common needs and promote a safe and healthy community.
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