![A proposal to alleviate traffic would see an interchange added to this crossroad of Interstate 10 and Antioch Road. [MARK JUDSON/NEWS BULLETIN]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-4d499a79-d959-2d0c-e053-0100007f2a3f-6cc8e377.jpeg)
THE QUESTION:
Does anyone know what happened to the idea of putting a so-called "roadway" through the Crestview Corners Shopping Plaza parking lot in order to connect East Redstone Avenue and Hospital Drive to relieve traffic on [State Road] 85? — Andrew Soileau Jr., Crestview
THE ANSWER:
The Florida Department of Transportation highlighted proposals to alleviate traffic on S.R. 85 during a City Council meeting March 27.
Connecting Redstone Avenue and Hospital Drive is already done to the east of Crestview Corners by Brookmeade Drive. Also, at their widest points along S.R. 85, the two roads only run 0.3 miles apart.
The FDOT is looking at changes west of S.R. 85 to improve the road’s traffic conditions. One improvement would be an Interstate 10 interchange at Antioch Road. Currently, the road runs over the interstate but allows no entrance or exit between the two.
This interchange would provide connectivity to a planned extension of P.J. Adams Parkway. The extension would involve building out a portion of Arena Road and constructing a roadway connecting to Old Bethel Road.
Currently, several designs of how the interchange would function are being evaluated. Alternative plans that would place an interchange east of Antioch Road are also being explored.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU:
The FDOT believes that building this interchange and the extension would provide traffic relief on S.R. 85 and I-10. Aside from current and future traffic growth, relief would also come for pedestrians and cyclists crossing the interstate.
Changes won’t be seen in the immediate future, however. Plans for an interchange are still in the early phases and designs being analyzed. Final plans aren’t expecting approval until October 2018, according to an FDOT project schedule overview.
Crestview must work with the county and state for improvements along S.R. 85 and U.S. 90 since they aren’t city roads. Therefore, while the city recognizes the growing traffic problems along major roads, it could take years to see major improvements completed.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: New roadway to help traffic