Comments on: Pensacola Bay Bridge Closed Due To Wind, And It Was Struck By A Barge

By: Toro59

Toro59 — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 12:59:53 +0000

was it in the Mid 80’s- when the last barge hit and CLOSED the old bridge for Months? had to take a ferry or drive around via hwy 87! can’t believe it happened again!

By: Makarizo Sanchez

Makarizo Sanchez — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 11:23:48 +0000

Uh oh! I remember in 1989 when the 3 mile bridge was struck by a barge. I lived downtown and worked on Pensacola Beach at EPA. I had to make the trek all the way around through Navarre which was an extra 60 miles. I had to carpool with 3 other people whether I liked them or not for 6 months. I think you could use one lane after a while on the 3 mile bridge but it would get closed arbitrarily or traffic would be bad. Six months was pretty good though compared to today’s road construction in the area. I guess it’s like inflation, the years make the numbers go up. By comparison, the overpass and 9 mile road area has been under construction for over 4 years and it’s not even a bridge over 40 feet of water. To fix a pylon today managed by the same people who are managing the hwy 29 construction, it would probably be 10 years.
Atleast we have the rich people bridge now in midway Gulf Breeze in case they say 3 mile is unsafe again (like they did 30 years ago.) If I had to take the rich folk bridge every day I would probably eventually have to take out a second mortgage. Luckily the only reason I absolutely have to go over there is to get to Peg Leg Pete’s for a seafood platter.

By: Elizabeth Carter

Elizabeth Carter — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 00:42:56 +0000

I was 8 years old in 1947. My grandparents lived in Pensacola and I lived in Panama City. On Friday afternoons the Trailways bus stopped in front of our house on US 98 and my mother put me on in, right behind the driver. My grandfather met the bus in Pensacola. On Sunday afternoon we reversed the trip. I well remember the many months that the bus bypassed the damaged part of the bridge on a rickity-looking wooden detour. It was indeed a kinder and gentler time.

By: Donald W Skipper

Donald W Skipper — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 21:38:04 +0000

I noticed yesterday coming back from Quietwater that the contractor left all the barges and cranes in place for this storm instead of moving them to Bayou Chico as they have for previous storms. A costly mistake, but the costs, including repairs, should be on the contractor and not the taxpayers.

By: Hoosier Daddy

Hoosier Daddy — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 17:27:01 +0000

In 1947, a freighter moored to the coaling station near the foot of 9th Av broke loose during a hurricane. It went through the old two-lane bridge. A temporary wooden bridge was constructed during the repair work. A kinder and gentler time, but, nevertheless, memorable.