These Are This Week’s Road Construction Traffic Delay Hotspots
December 20, 2021
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
In preparation for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, there will be no lane closures or other activities that impede traffic on major state roads beginning at 7 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 23 and ending at 12:01 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3.
Escambia County
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 19 through Wednesday, Dec. 22. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews replace the southbound portion of the structure. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20 through Wednesday, Dec. 22 as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures between A and N streets as crews perform median improvements and install poles for pedestrian traffic signals.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – Drivers will encounter temporary and intermittent daytime lane closures Monday, Dec. 20 through Wednesday, Dec. 22, as crews place final striping and complete final work items.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures and shifts from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 interchange to allow crews to place the thermoplastic striping and to perform worklist items.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, Dec. 20 through Wednesday, Dec. 22, as crews place a watermain.
- Beulah Road (S.R. 99) Routine Maintenance at Kaheeley Ridge Subdivision – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 19 through Wednesday, Dec. 22, as crews perform paving operations.
- S.R. 173 Routine Maintenance North Sorrento Road – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 19 through Wednesday, Dec. 22 as crews perform paving operations.
- Garden Street Routine Utility Maintenance near Centennial Bank – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, as crews install equipment.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 19 through Wednesday, Dec. 22. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – The eastbound lane will remain reduced to one lane at the County Road 191 Overpass Bridge (Exit 26) until work associated with bridge approach construction is complete. Motorists can also expect intermittent lane closures from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 19 through Wednesday, Dec. 22 as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Major roadway construction activities are currently underway. Improvements include widening the roadway from four to a six-lanes with a raised median, safety, and drainage upgrades, resurfacing Avalon Boulevard from U.S. 98 to Garcon Point Bridge, extending the existing shared-use path on the south side of U.S. 98 from Gondolier Boulevard, and new signage and pavement markings.
- S.R. 87 Routine Utility Maintenance between S.R. 89 to Brock Avenue – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20 through Wednesday, Dec. 22, as crews perform power pole maintenance.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Florida Gas Prices Continue To Decline
December 20, 2021
Florida gas prices continue to gradually decline as an estimated 5.4 million Floridians prepare to hit the road for the holidays.
Pump prices averaged $3.23 per gallon on Sunday, after slipping 3.5 cents last week. The state average has declined 12 cents per gallon since Thanksgiving.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon Sunday night was $3.15. About a half dozen Cantonment stations were below $3, while a county low of $2.84 could be found at a Pensacola Boulevard gas station.
“Holiday travelers are getting the gift of falling prices at the pump, though these prices surely aren’t falling as fast as many would like,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Travelers are poised to pay about a dollar per gallon more than they did last year. Even still, after many decided to stay home and play it safe last year, it appears that higher gas prices will not be a big deterrent. AAA forecasts a strong 28% rebound in road trips compared to last year.”
40,000 Pound Food Distribution Held In Cantonment (With Photo Gallery)
December 19, 2021
A 40,000 pound food distribution was held Saturday at Carver Park in Cantonment.
Rep. Michelle Salzman, Sheriff Chip Simmons, Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry, ECUA District 5 Board Member Kevin Stephens and dozens of volunteers took part in the event.
Salzman said plans call for a similar large food giveaway to be held once per quarter.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Sponsors included Salzman, Barry, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Feeding the Gulf Coast, and community partners including Farm Share, Pinewood Presbyterian Church, Cantonment Improvement Committee, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Trailer Parts Plus.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century’s Showalter Named New Manager Of The New York Mets
December 19, 2021
Buck Showalter has been named the new manager of the New York Mets, according to an announcement Saturday on Twitter from team owner Steven Cohen.
ESPN is reporting it’s a three-year deal, but that had not yet been officially announced late Saturday night.
Showalter has managed the Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles. The 65-year old has a career record of 1,551-1,517.
Showalter’s family moved to Century in the late 1950’s. His father served as a teacher, coach and principal at Century High School and Carver Middle in Century for 23 years. Buck Showalter played Little League ball in a thriving program in Century, and he graduated from Century High School. Century’s modern day Showalter Park bears the family name.
Photo courtesy Baltimore Orioles for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Unemployment Rate Drops; About One-Quarter Of Nation’s Job Growth In Florida
December 19, 2021
About one-quarter of all jobs gained in the country during November were in Florida, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
He said Florida’s job growth for November was six times faster than the nation as Florida gained 51,100 jobs while the nation as a whole gained 210,000 jobs over the month.
The Escambia County unemployment level declined by half a percentage point last month, according to newly released data from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 3.7% in November, down from 4.1% in October. That represented 6,261 people out of work out of a county workforce of 153,556. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 4.3%, or 6,261 people.
The local area added 7,800 new private sector jobs over the year, a 5.0% increase. The Pensacola area labor force in November 2021, increased by 15,144 over the year, a 6.7% increase. The industry gaining the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality, increasing by 2,300 jobs.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.5 percent in November 2021, down 0.1 percentage point from the October 2021 rate, and down 0.9 percentage point from a year ago.
“Our job growth rate is six times faster than the rest of the nation because we’ve worked hard to keep Florida open and protect the jobs of individual Floridians,” DeSantis said. “Because we have protected their livelihoods, Floridians are confident in finding work and operating their own businesses. We will continue to focus on our state’s foundation of freedom to ensure that Florida remains a leader in economic growth and Floridians are able to succeed.”
Let The Tate Showband Take The Stress Out Of Gift Wrapping
December 19, 2021
The Tate High School Showband of the South is wrapping gifts for donations through Christmas Eve.
The gift wrapping is taking place at a different location this year — JCPenney on North Davis Highway, just outside the entrance closest to Academy Sports.
Here’s the schedule:
Monday, December 20, noon-8 p.m.
Tuesday, December 21, noon-8 p.m.
Wednesday, December 22, noon-8 p.m.
Thursday, December 23, noon-8 p.m.
Friday, December 24, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wreaths Across America Held
December 19, 2021
Thousands of Christmas wreaths were placed on graves at Barrancas National Cemetery on NAS Pensacola and other area cemeteries on Saturday.
The wreaths were placed as part of the national event “Wreaths Across America”, a tradition that began over 20 years ago at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington. The wreaths were placed to remember and honor veterans through the placing Remembrance Wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each veteran aloud.
There were 26,000 wreaths placed throughout Barrancas National Cemetery.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa Makes Fire Truck Run Through Century And Byrneville
December 19, 2021
Santa and Mrs. Claus visited the Century and Byrneville areas Saturday morning with a little help from the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, including a special stop to visit with the residents of the Century Center for Rehabilitation & Healing. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Louis Street In Cantonment Will Remain Closed Another Month
December 18, 2021
Louis Street in Cantonment will be closed for twice as long as originally anticipated.
Louis Street (Highway 297A) was closed in the area of Washington Street and Lincoln Street on November 15. Instead of reopening by mid-December as first announced, Escambia County says the road will be closed until January 16, 2022.
Work was delayed due to utility issues during installation of the storm and water lines.
Construction work includes installation of a stormwater pipe, other drainage structures and widening along the west southbound travel lane on Louis Street
Local traffic is being detoured in the surrounding neighborhood. All other through traffic should continue to use County Road 97 between Muscogee Road and Kingsfield Road.
Pictured: Looking north (above) and south (below) on Louis Street from Lincoln Street just before the closure in November. NorthEscambia.com graphic and photos, click to enlarge.
I-10 Wrong Way Driver Gets 15 Years For DUI Manslaughter, DUI Bodily Injury
December 18, 2021
A wrong-way driver has been sentenced to state prison for the death of a man on I-10 in Escambia County during early the morning of June 20, 2020.
Theresa Bernadette King was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Coleman Lee Robinson to serve 15 years for DUI manslaughter and DUI causing serious bodily injury.
King, age 47 of McKinney, Texas, was under the influence of Xanax and alcohol when she caused a head-on collision at approximately 1:30 a.m. on I-10. King had entered the interstate in the wrong direction from the rest area. The crash caused the death of a 25-year old man from Theodore, Alabama, and caused serious injuries to his 34-year old male passenger.
Prosecutors said King had a blood alcohol level of 0.13 and had alprazolam (Xanax) in her system. A bottle of wine was also found in her vehicle following the crash.
Four years of the prison sentence must be served as a mandatory minimum sentence. King’s driver’s license was permanently suspended.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
