These Are This Week’s Road Construction Problem Spots
October 25, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities
Escambia County:
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Bridge is closed until 2021.
- · U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers may encounter the following lane closures the week of Sunday, Oct. 25:
o Motorists traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage, median and pavement operations.
- · East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Safety Project from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures as crews continue construction activities. Eastbound traffic can also expect daytime, right turn lane closures.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road 184) to Atmore Highway (State Road (S.R.) 97)- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews continue construction activities at various locations. Motorists are also advised to watch for debris as cleanup efforts are still underway from Hurricane Sally.
- · Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road (S.R. 295) – Construction activities continue. Drivers can expect lane closures between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Bridge is closed until 2021.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Clear Creek to S.R. 4- Drivers can expect intermittent daytime lane closures along the 14-mile corridor through fall 2020 as crews perform paving operations.
Skanska Says They Have Removed 16 Of 23 Barges, Including Three From Under The Bay Bridge
October 25, 2020
Skanska has now removed 16 of the 23 barges that ran aground during Hurricane Sally
The contractor said late last week that three of the four barges left under the Pensacola Bay Bridge have now been “retrieved”.
“Each barge represents a unique and technically complex recovery operation that we are managing carefully with our partners to mitigate further physical or environmental damage,” Skanska said in an email to NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured: Skanska barges along Bayfront Parkway, not far from the Pensacola Bay Bridge, in downtown Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
President Donald Trump Campaigns In Pensacola (With Photo Gallery)
October 24, 2020
Just 11 days ahead of Election day, President Donald Trump campaigned in Pensacola Friday night.
“Hello Pensacola. Hello Florida. We love Florida. There’s something going on out there. That’s a big crowd of people,” Trump said after reaching the podium at ST Aerospace at the Pensacola International Airport. “You know the other side is getting a little bit nervous, a little bit shaky right now.”
“Eleven days from now, we are going to win my home state of Florida, and we are going to win four more years in the White House, four more great years. Four more successful years,” Trump told the crowd of several thousand people.
He spoke about defending America’s borders, energy independence, opening up the country and taxes.
““I gave the largest tax cut and tax reform in history and we cut taxes again for the middle class. This election is between a Trump super recovery and a Biden super depression,” he said.
Under Biden, the country would be locked down, he said, but no under a Trump administration.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“We’re not locking down anything,” he said. “We understand the disease, I understand it better than you — I had it.”
Before Air Force One landed in Pensacola, Michelle Salzman, the Republican nominee for state House District 1, led thousands in a chant of “four more years”.
“You have to go vote for Donald Trump,” Salman told the crowd. “Y’all, this is so exciting. I am on a national stage, and I am so excited.”
Other speakers included Florida District 2 Rep. Alex Andrade, Florida Sen. Doug Broxson, Republican nominee for Alabama’s 1st Congressional District Jerry Carl, Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis, Florida 2nd Congressional District rep. Neal Dunn, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Completes First Hurricane Debris Pass, But They Are Not Done
October 24, 2020
Escambia County completed the first substantial debris removal passl countywide on Friday.
The county began its recovery process in the wake of Hurricane Sally with curbside removal of debris for residents on September 23. Contractors expect it will take a total of 90 days to accomplish the debris removal.
As of Thursday, Escambia County has collected approximately 2,358,598 cubic yards of debris throughout the county, which equals 380 football fields with debris stacked three feet high. The map below shows where debris has been collected.
To help expedite the process, separate debris for service. Vegetative debris like tree limbs need to be separate from construction and demolition materials like drywall and carpet. Keep debris away from storm drains, low power lines, other utilities and mailboxes.
Curbside Residential Debris Pickup Instructions
Escambia County residents, that can safely do so, are asked to place any storm-generated debris on the public right of way (the area of residential property that extends from the street to the sidewalk, ditch, utility pole or easement).
- Commercial-generated waste will not be accepted.
- Businesses should contact their waste collection service provider or a debris removal contractor. Business and commercial material is not eligible to be removed curbside by Escambia County.
- Nonprofits are allowed to place debris on public right of way for pickup.
Debris that was generated by Hurricane Sally should be placed and sorted on the area immediately adjoining the road in front of your home.
- Vegetative Debris – whole trees and large limbs should be cut into lengths of four feet or less, tree stumps, tree branches, tree trunks and other leafy material
- Construction and Demolition Debris – damaged components of buildings and structures such lumber and wood, wall board, glass, metal, roofing materials, tile, furnishings and fixtures
- Appliances and White Goods – refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, heat pumps, ovens, ranges, washing machines, clothes dryers and water heaters
- Electronic Waste – computers, televisions, office electronic equipment, etc.
- Household Hazardous Waste – materials that are ignitable, reactive, toxic or corrosive such as paints, cleaners, pesticides, etc.
Do not place debris within four feet of:
- Mailboxes
- Water meters
- Fire hydrants, or any other above-ground utility
Escambia County contractors will make multiple passes through neighborhoods and along county right-of-way for debris removal. If your debris is not removed, please be patient. The crews will make additional passes along your road. In addition, the county will notify residents well in advance of the last day to place debris on the right-of-way for county contractor collection. Debris will be picked up on private roads, and the county is working on getting FEMA approval for contractors to access gated communities.
The county contractors have dedicated pieces of equipment for different debris streams (vegetation, C&D and stumps). Please understand that if vegetation is collected and C&D or stumps are left behind, they are not “missed,” but rather assigned to different trucks dedicated to that debris stream. Contractors cannot commingle debris streams in a single truck load.
Drop Off Instructions for Residential Vegetative Debris Drop Off Sites
In addition to curbside removal of debris for residents, residential drop off sites are accepting vegetative debris generated by Hurricane Sally. This is for private, residential use only, NO COMMERCIAL DEBRIS. Hurricane Sally debris drop off sites are open for Escambia County residents only and will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 a.m., until further notice. Residents need to bring ID and proof of residency.
Drop Off Locations:
- Escambia County Equestrian Center at 7750 Mobile Highway
- John R. Jones Athletic Complex at 555 East Nine Mile Road
- Oak Grove Convenience Center at 745 North Highway 99
- Baars Field at 13020 Sorrento Road
- Lexington Terrace at 900 S Old Corry Field Road
- Park East at 1233-1235 at Fort Pickens Road
If residents would like to drop off construction and demolition debris, they can do so at the following locations (ordinary fees apply):
- Perdido Landfill (Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
- Oak Grove Convenience Center (Fridays and Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Pictured: Debris pick up on North Highway 99. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Burn Ban Lifted North Of Nine Mile Road
October 24, 2020
Escambia County has lifted a burn ban north of Nine Mile Road. The remainder of the county, south of Nine Mile Road, remains under a burn ban until further notice.
“After reviewing the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (200-299), the Florida Forest Service Fire Danger Indices (currently low) as well as surveying areas for the current status of storm debris remaining on the right-of-way, the burn ban is being lifted for residents north of Nine Mile Road.
Interim Fire Chief Paul Williams said the burn ban was lifted north of Nine Mile Road after review the current fire danger indices, the drought index and a survey of the amount of Hurricane Sally debris remaining on the right-of-way.
“These residents are still required to follow the Florida Forest Services Forest fire laws and open burning regulations,” Williams said. “We are awaiting rain to lift the other areas to suppress the wildfire potential.”
According to the Forest Service, you do not need a burn authorization to burn yard waste (grass clippings, brush, leaves, tree limbs, palm fronds, etc.) as long as:
- The pile is less than 8 feet in diameter;
- You meet the required setbacks:
- 25 feet from forests
- 50 feet from paved public roads
- 25 feet from your house
- 150 feet from other occupied buildings
- The fire is ignited after 8 a.m. Central Time or 9 a.m. Eastern Time and is extinguished one hour before sunset; and
- There are no local, city or county ordinances in place that prohibit burning.
For more information about authorizations, call Blackwater Forestry Center headquarters at (850) 957-5701.
South of Nine Mile Road, where the burn ban remains in effect, the following activities are exempt: state permitted burns, fire department training, authorized fireworks displays and fireworks sales, which are authorized by state law, and outdoor cooking in barbecue grills, smokers or other outdoor stoves located at private residences and businesses.
Local U.S. Attorney Appoints Election Officer To Address Voting Rights Concerns
October 24, 2020
The local U.S. Attorney has appointed an election officer to address any voting rights concerns that may arise.
““Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud,” said U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, Lawrence Keefe said Wednesday. “The Department of Justice will always act appropriately to protect the integrity of the election process.”
Keefe has appointed Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew J. Grogran as the election officer for the Northern District of Florida.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. Example, according to Department of Justice, are actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law.
The public may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office with voting rights concerns at (850) 942-8430, (850) 216-3845 or (850) 216-3829
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The FBI field office in Jacksonville, which serves Escambia County, can be reached by the public at (904) 248-7000.
In the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, voters should call 911 immediately before contacting federal authorities.
“State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Want To Vote Early? Here’s Where To Go.
October 24, 2020
Early voting is continuing in Escambia County for the general election. A total of 10 sites are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily throughout the county – the most locations ever offered to Escambia County voters:
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse, 7500 N Century Blvd, Century
- Molino Community Center, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Mobile Hwy/Pine Forest Rd Early Voting Center, 6675 Pine Forest Rd, Suite 11
- UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, University Parkway
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 B, 9th Avenue
- Main Library, 239 Spring Street
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto Street
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
Early voting will be offered through Saturday, October 31. Early voters cast paper ballots through our digital scanners and may choose any one of the 10 sites. Each location is also equipped with an ExpressVote ballot marking device to assist persons with disabilities.
Another option for voters is to cast a vote-by-mail ballot, which can be requested through the online form at EscambiaVotes.gov, or by e-mail (votebymail@escambiavotes.com), phone (850) 595-3900, mail, or fax (850) 595-3914. Requests must include the voter’s date of birth and address, and must be received no later than 5 p.m. Saturday, October 24. Voted ballots must be received in the Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day and may not be returned to a polling location. A voter my return their vote-by-mail ballot to any early voting site or the 24-hour drop box at the Supervisor of Elections office. If mailing, the U.S. Postal Service recommends voters mail ballots at least one week before the due date. Vote-by-mail participants may track the status of their ballot at EscambiaVotes.gov/track-my-ballot.
The third option for voters is to cast a ballot at their precinct on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Voters are reminded to bring their mask and photo and signature ID with them to the polls and are encouraged to check their sample ballot or visit EscambiaVotes.gov for complete voting information.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Football Finals
October 24, 2020
Here are Friday night football finals from across the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Northview 34, Jay 15
- Escambia 33, Pine Forest 14
- Washington 47, Pensacola High 7
- Niceville 35, Catholic 0
- Pace 49, Crestview 42
- Milton 21, Mostly 10
- Gulf Breeze 49, Choctaw 35
- Fort Walton Beach at Navarre
- Tate at West Florida (WFHS forfeit COVID-19 issues)
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy, 36 Southern Academy 6
- Jackson 16, Escambia County (Atmore) 6
- T.R. Miller at Flomaton (Flomaton forfeit due to COVID-19)
- Opp at W.S. Neal (Opp forfeit due to COVID-19)
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Two Dead After Navy Plane Crashes Near Foley
October 23, 2020
A Navy aircraft from Whiting Field crashed into a home near Foley Friday afternoon, killing two people on the plane, according to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
No one on the ground was injured.
The Navy T-6B Texan II crash happened on Mansion Street, just northwest of Magnolia School on Highway 55. One home partially burned as a result of the crash.
The names of the victims will not be released until 24 hours after next of kin notification.
Photos courtesy pilot Brandon Ressinger and WPMI for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
I-10 West Exit To Nine Mile Widened, And Two More Lanes Are Coming
October 23, 2020
The Florida Department of Transportation has widened the westbound exit ramp from I-10 to Nine Mile Road in a temporary effort to help relieve back ups onto the interstate, and more improvements are coming.
Drivers previously had a single lane off-ramp at Exit 5 to access east and westbound Nine Mile Road. But now there is dedicated through lane to access westbound Nine Mile Road and a dedicated right turn lane to access eastbound Nine Mile Road.
This new temporary configuration includes nearly 500-feet of lanes once drivers exit I-10.
Crews will now begin construction on the west side of the off-ramp. Upon completion, this off-ramp will include four dedicated lanes to access Nine Mile Road.
An estimated 19,000 drivers travel through the area each day, according to FDOT.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.