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Transportation, Development And Concurrency Dominate North Escambia Community Forum
May 6, 2026
Transportation, development, and concurrency led the issues in a North Escambia community forum Tuesday evening at the Molino Community Center.
Nearly 60 people attended the forum where they had an opportunity to ask Florida Department of Transportation panelists about state road projects and transportation issues.
Residents asked questions and expressed their viewpoints on an April 28 NorthEscambia.com article about the proposed projects on the Regional Rural Transportation Plan (RRTP) 2026 Transportation Project Priorities list, including a feasibility study on six lanes for Highway 29 and potentially four lanes for Highway 97.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Many residents expressed concerns about the lack of concurrency—a growth management strategy ensuring that necessary public infrastructure—such as roads, water, sewer, and schools—is available to support new development at the time of, or shortly after, its construction.
Rep. Michelle Salzman said she found little appetite among her colleagues to mandate concurrency from the state-level.
“The meaningful response was that’s a local decision that a lot of counties opt into, and they do that,” she said. “I can promise you that it is on my priority list, but I am one of 120… I agree with you.”
In addition to Salzman and FDOT, officials and agencies attending included ECUA Board Chairman Kevin Stephens, ECUA Executive Director Bruce Woody, Escambia County Administrator Wes Moreno, Century Mayor Ben Boutwell, Molino Utilities, and Cottage Hill Water Works.
Noticeably absent, and drawing the ire of a large number of attendees, was Escambia County District 5 Commissioner and Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization Chairman Steven Barry. Salzman told the crowd that he was coaching T-ball.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
7 Responses to “Transportation, Development And Concurrency Dominate North Escambia Community Forum”
IMPACT FEES designated for transportation needs was passed May 2025 by Santa Rosa County commissioners delegated to help with their road construction…this was after 2 commissioners that were heavily influenced by developers/ builders were not reelected. 45/ out of 67 Florida counties have passed IMPACT FEES that help with growing communities. Because the #1 campaign contributors are developers/ builders, many commissioners don’t want to bite the hands that feed them.Also the commissioners salaries[ set by state government] is based on total county population therefore, more subdivisions = a higher salary…”now you know the rest of the story!”
Avoid being distracted by Commissioner Barry’s absence. Another topic, a different issue, another day.
Same goes for all the reckless drivers. That’s an enforcement issue.
This is about improving transportation infrastructure in northern Escambia County.
A. Focus on reasonable, affordable improvements. Wider county roads (CR 164 from McDavid to Walnut Hill is an example). These types of roads were designed in the 1950’s and 1960’s, and still have their old SRD (state road department) survey markers. They are terribly narrow and dangerous. Paved shoulders, resurfacing, improved signage and striping, and intersection improvements are sorely needed on these locally important roadways.
B. Construct two areas of 4- or alternating 3-laned passing zones in SR 97. The straight, flat stretch either side of Tung Oil Road would be an ideal location for added passing lanes.
Whatever is decided, it will come in phases over years, not all at once. Be patient, and be persistent. Safety and lives are at stake. Significant attention needs to be paid to these needed improvements.
It’s no wonder that Mr. “Whatever the Marker will Bear” wasn’t present again for such an important meeting. He really has a serious lack of “good judgement” in how to administer his time as it relates to his role as a representaive of the people. But have no fear, you will not see him at any public forums until election year. He refuses to attend any of these public forums because he DOES NOT care. I can not believe the voters re-elected him for another term. Just look at the incompetence on our dais.
There is a flush valve / hydrant on our road that has been leaking water at a steady stream since August 2024. I have contacted Molino Utilities and spoke to the maintenance guys and so far nothing has been done to fix the leak. I spoke to one of the Molino Utility people at the meeting about it and the response was as usual, not much of a response. No fix in sight. You would think that since they now charge us $4.00 a month for upgrade / maintenance fee that they would repair the leak. Also, you would think that they would be better stewards of our natural resource water shed.
Thank you!
If counties would stick to the growth plans the county developes and submits to the State and quit handing out zoning request change approvals like they were candy, it would get better. Not fixed, but better.
All voters and tax payers should remember in future elections that our main Representative, our commissioner was absent once again . It shows and demonstrates without words the ambivalent posture of the individual . Coaching T ball and investment banking are your priorities., Please step aside, and let somebody else represent the taxpayers.
Maybe Steven Berry needs to resign from his county job and coach T- ball full time. It probably doesn’t pay as well but would be more fun.