Southern Highway 90 alternate route needed

Dear editor,

It looks like Guy Thompson is gearing up an attempt to retake his throne at city hall, and his main campaign plank is ramming a four-lane through downtown Milton. 

There is little net advantage to that plan except to possibly give financial benefit to Guy and some of his supporters. It would destroy the historic nature and charm of our downtown in dubious favor of increased traffic flow.

Improved traffic flow is a worthy goal, but so is a pleasant, inviting central business district.

We can have both. 

A four-lane through downtown Milton would create a true "bypass." It would encourage people to drive straight through without looking and lingering. 

Good examples of this mistake abound in our area. 

Look closely at four-lane business corridors such as Garden and Gregory streets in Pensacola, Highway 90 in Pace and Highway 85 in Crestview. 

What you see is struggling businesses and traffic, not people or prosperity.

Contrast that with the renaissance occurring on two-lane South Palafox in Pensacola, where people stroll, shop, dine and enjoy the leisurely pace and charm.  Cross right over four-lane Garden Street (be careful) to four-lane North Palafox, and again what you see is moving cars, not people.

What Milton needs, as currently proposed by our mayor and city council, is a four-lane southern Highway 90 alternate route to facilitate traffic flow around Milton while maintaining two lanes downtown to encourage the same welcoming atmosphere as South Palafox or the Highway 98 alternate in Fairhope, Alabama.

Without having to dodge four lanes of rapidly moving traffic, people will be more likely to linger and enjoy our historic town center and beautiful riverfront.

Combine a pedestrian-inviting downtown with the business-friendly environment being developed by our new city council and you have the kind of destination location Milton has always had the potential to become.

We are almost there.

Four-laning Highway 90 through downtown will kill that potential.

ROB JOHNSTONE

Milton

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Southern Highway 90 alternate route needed