Traffic Congestion
In the ten years between 2010 and 2020, the population of Navarre grew by 34% (over 10,000 residents)! That population growth wildly outpaces incorporated cities in Santa Rosa County like Gulf Breeze (9.4%) and Milton (15.5%). This explosive population growth has strained our roadways, leading to more and more traffic (references: 1, 2, 3).
Because Navarre is not currently incorporated, Santa Rosa County and State government officials decide what changes happen to Navarre roadways leaving residents out of the decision making process. The City of Navarre Beach will have it’s own traffic commission which will be responsible for evaluating, planning, and managing needed improvements to the roads and transit options in Navarre to handle our current population and future growth.
Empowering Residents
An example of the importance of local control when it comes to traffic congestion issues is the recently announced Navarre Community Access Road project (reference). This project was proposed by the county who hired an engineering firm to perform a Project Development and Environmental (PD&E) study for the new road. Many Navarre residents are upset by this proposed new road as it would trace a path through existing neighborhoods, increasing traffic and making certain streets more dangerous.
While it is good to see the county trying to improve traffic in the Navarre area, these types of projects need to be led by local leaders who have the best interests of the locals at heart. As a city, Navarre Beach would have it’s own planners to work with the community throughout the process of scoping and planning new roads or improvements to existing roads in the area.
Safety Improvements
Santa Rosa County is pushing for more and more tourism at Navarre Beach which is continuing to add to the congestion on our roadways. The county is doing this through advertising funded by the tourism taxes generated by businesses in Navarre (learn more). The combination of more cars on the road and more people walking and cycling in the area is leading to tragic outcomes. In January, a woman was killed when she was struck by a vehicle as she tried to cross Highway 98 in Navarre (reference). These types of tragedies must not be ignored in the blind pursuit of increased tourism tax revenue.
Cities have the resources to address these types of issues through unique funding sources and staffers whose job is dedicated to improving the lives of city residents. Incorporating as the City of Navarre Beach will enable the prioritization of efforts to improve the safety of our roads over unchecked tourism growth (learn more).
