By Carol Wyatt
CHIPLEY – Florida Department of Transportation has reconsidered a recommendation to remove the traffic signal located at U.S. Highway 90 and 2nd Street as part of the Highway 90 resurfacing project from the Vernon Highway to the end of the four-lane east of Chipley.
The traffic signal has long been eyed by the state for potential removal following the completion of the new Chipley High School on Brickyard Road in 2000, which left the old high school campus on 2nd Street seeing a major reduction in traffic counts.
The Washington County School District reached out to FDOT earlier this year, however, and asked the agency to reconsider the recommendation, citing safety concerns for buses working along Chipley routes.
State officials took the school districtÂ’s request to heart, with Phillip Gainer, FDOTÂ’s District Secretary for District Three, making the announcement to Washington County School Superintendent Joe Taylor in a recent email.
“We would like to thank you and the School Board for the feedback regarding the rehabilitation, restoration and resurfacing project on SR 10 (US 90) in Chipley,” wrote Secretary Gainer. “Safety is the Florida Department of Transportation’s number one priority. After further consideration, the Department has decided that the traffic signal at SR 10 (US 90) and 2nd Street will remain in place.”
Taylor says he is pleased with the decision, stating simply, “We appreciate their decision.”
Staff Report 
Jim Saunders