[HarryWho?]

Originally Posted by espizarro

Yes. But Florida can propose it and along with GDOT and FHWA make it possible.

It would be an interstate. The feds would be involved. Don't think they would be interested.

[espizarro]

Originally Posted by psulions2007

The reason there is no interstate/tollway from I-10 to Panama City is because US 231 is a major four lane highway with speed limits around 65 MPH that works just fine. It's the same reason there is not an interstate from Pensacola up to I-65... US 29 works just fine.

Interstates aren't constructed just for the hell of it.

...and the Florida Department of Transportation has absolutely zero jurisdiction over roads in Alabama and Georgia. It's pointless to even bring it up.

I know that. But interstates are actually funded by FHWA, not by the DOT's for what I know. Also... Is US 231 similar to a freeway? How many traffic lights are there between Dothan AL and Panama City FL? How long does it take to go from Tallahassee to Atlanta? More than from Lake City (should be definitely less)? How long does it take to go from Pensacola to Atlanta?

[psulions2007]

Originally Posted by espizarro

I know that. But interstates are actually funded by FHWA, not by the DOT's for what I know. Also... Is US 231 similar to a freeway? How many traffic lights are there between Dothan AL and Panama City FL? How long does it take to go from Tallahassee to Atlanta? More than from Lake City (should be definitely less)? How long does it take to go from Pensacola to Atlanta?

Interstates are funded by both the FHWA and state DOTs depending on the circumstance. Interstate 69, for example, is from both sections. That's why each state is constructing I-69 separately. Same thing with I-49 where Arkansas is having issues finding enough funding for construction south of Fort Smith through the Ouachitas.

US 231 is not a true limited-access freeway, but the speed limit is 65 and there is a very low amount of red lights considering the rural area.

According to Google Maps, it takes 4 hours and 28 minutes to get from Tallahassee to Atlanta, 4 hours and 12 minutes from Lake City. This is using a road that is more two-lane and zig-zags NE from Tallahassee to Thomasville and Tifton, then heads back NW on I-75. I've done both drives before... except I used US 19 from I-10 to Albany, then hit GA 300 N to I-75 which are major four lane roads. That wasn't actually that bad and was comparable, IMO, to I-75 south from Macon through Valdosta to Lake City.

According to Google Maps, it takes 4 hours and 56 minutes to get from Pensacola to Atlanta... although usually for me, it's over 5 hours.

[CountryFisher]

No, leave the state alone.

[Nomad58]

Originally Posted by espizarro

I don't know but I don't see why Florida keeps all that land if most of the money goes to the peninsula. Florida has a big coastline, while Alabama has... well... not too many beaches to choose from. Florida has good nice beaches along the Gulf Coast between Tampa and Naples, and also from Jax to Key West. Why keeping Panama City, Destin and Pensacola and not letting people from Alabama enjoy also some good variety instead of having to go to another state with different laws, or if they choose to stay in their state go all the way to Mobile?

Another question, why is there no interstate or at least tollway connection (like the FL's turnpike) that connects I-10 to Panama City? Why do people from Dothan, Alabama have to go trough rural highways to reach the beach?

It looks to me that FL government does not really care that much about the true panhandle. Then why keeping it?

Why? What do you have against Alabama? What did they ever do to you?

[TXRyan23]

The Panhandle doesn't have many freeway accesses because there's not a demand for it. Outside of tourist season/Spring Break, there's no need for it.

As for giving away part of a state, GA lawmakers demanded that Tennessee agree to redraw the borders between the two states so that Atlanta would have another water source, obviously the people of Tennessee said hell no.

[EscAlaMike]

As an ex-Floridian and adoptive Alabamian, Florida can keep it.

Adding places like Pensacola, Destin, Seaside, Panama City, and the military bases would dramatically change Alabama, and not for the better. As a wise man once said, "Mo' money, mo' problems".

[fishoutofwaterinSC]

Without a handle, the pan might fall right off and slide into the ocean!
Just kidding... I think that could be good for Alabama to have more beach, and that area never seemed very Florida-like to me, so sure... but... I'm a traditionalist. Florida would look funny. In the old days, sure, this country moved a bunch of lines around, but by now, they're pretty much set. Nobody's shoving Michigan's parts back together or giving its parts away, either. All set and done by now, sorry.