The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-03-10
ALTERNATE ROUTE
MUCH DISCUSSED
Many Favor Change in Right Way
Over Gulf Beach Highway While
Others Oppose Proposition.

Gulf Beach Highway enthusiasts
land especially those interested in the
ALTERNATE route which has been sug-
gested through a portion of sections
~, 10. IA, TIP. 3 S. r. 80 W., yesterday
expressed interest in the letter from
Foley, Ala, appearing in The journal
which told of the interest in the letter
from Foley, Ala, appearing in The
Journal, which told of the interest in
Baldwin county, in the development OF
the Gulf Beach Highway, and plans
for cooperation. in placing ferry at
the end of the highway in order to
connect the Florida and Alabama
shores, at Bear Point, by parties in
Foley, interested in the development of
1.-The gulf coast region.
Since the change in the highway
route was suggested to the board of
county commissioners, many pilgrim
lagos have been made to the point of
the highway which is under question,
land public seems divided as to the bet
tier of the two routes.
The county commissioners, when
1.-THE change was suggested by Fred NJ.
lScott, who is interested in the devel-
Iopment projects along Perdido beach,
took the matter under advisement, and
1t was finally decided to leave the
matter open, the new route to be an
ALTERNATE project, to be taken up later
by the engineers, as the work on the
highway progresses.
Before leaving the city last night
Winston L. Wheat, county engineer,
stated that SO far as the engineering
problems are concerned, in his opinion
at this time. there would probably be
very little difference in the cost of the
two routes.
His attention was called to the fact
that as the route now stands, there are
seven small bridges to be crossed,
which run through marshy ground,
and that it is claimed that two re-
verse curves, one of which is consid-
cred dangerous, would be eliminated
| by taking the new and alternate route.
The county engineer said that at
this time he would not like TO offer an
\ opinion on the engineering problem
involved, but that he thought it was
safe to say that after the fills had
been made and the road widened, that
the number of bridges, which are
small, would not be more than two in
number, and that the curves would be
easy curves" which would hardly be
looked upon as very dangerous.
Asked as to the expense involved in
the change, Mr.. Wheat said that so
far, from the information at hand, the
! engineers believed that the cost Of the
two roads would amount to about the
same. but that this could only be de-
cided when the problem came up, and
the engineers made close estimates on
both the old route and the alternate
route. as would be done as soon as the
proper time arrived.
In an effort TO get at some authori-
tative information as to the new and
old routes, a member of The Journal
staff made a trip down the highway
yesterday, going over the route as now
surveyed, and then having the line of
the new route pointed out.
The claim is made by some of those
interested in the Gulf Beach develop
ment that the new route will cut off
a very beautiful view OF the lagoon,
which is seen from the highway which
skirts the shore just at the point
which Is under discussion.
On the other hand, those who are
advocating the change claim that the
scenic beauty of the highway will be
really enhanced by the view of Bayou
Carson, the upper stretches of Per-
dido bay, and the bluffs on the Ala
bama shore, as well as furnishing a
splendid view Of the lagoon itself.
Those who are interested in the |
change also claim that the develop |
ment will not only build up the Per- |
dido bay section, and the settlement |
known as Innerarity Point, but that it
will tend to develop this entire terri |
tory.
The claim is made that the real
reason back of the Gulf Beach high |
way is the actual development which
It viii create, and that such develop
ment should work to the advantage of /
the entire section.
An association of business men have
taken over section fourteen for i'm
mediate development Of the territory
by the highway. Their purpose is to
build commodious and attractive inns
and clubs, with surrounding amuse-
ment features, with terminals on both
the lagoon and Perdido bay, with
wharves, pavilions and boats for the l
accommodation of the people.
At this time there are already five
well established settlements on the
Alabama shores OF Perdido bay, and
also an established winter and sum-
mer tourist trade, with a large num-
Der of year around homes of persons
of means.
Many farmers and business men
have also settled on the Alabama side
and the people of Perdido and
Baldwin county are showing great in
terest In the new route. as it will
greatly shorten the distance to Pen
sacola.
Those who advocate the change
claim that not only will be new route
mean that the people of the Alabama
coast viii come to Pensacola TO trade,
instead OF going to Mobile, as they do
now, but that it will mean greater de-
for those who have Cult
Beach Dronerty or are interested in