FDOT: No Additional Damage To Pensacola Bay Bridge After Zeta
October 30, 2020
Inspectors from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) found that the Pensacola Bay Bridge did not suffer any additional damage due to Hurricane Zeta.
Prior to the storm, FDOT personnel and bridge contractors were preparing for the anticipated storm surge, rainfall and wind impacts forecasted for northwest Florida. Tuesday morning, the bridge repair team relocated and moored equipment in secure locations away from the Pensacola Bay Bridge. Crews are currently mobilizing equipment back to the bridge to continue demolition and repair efforts.
FDOT has mobilized three bridge contractors on site to expedite demolition and design including:
- Debris from two spans has been cleared along with the complete removal of one damaged span of the bridge as crews continue to carefully remove damaged portions from additional spans to minimize impacts to the existing structure. One barge remains under the bridge. To date, 21 of the 27 barges have been removed from the area.
- Design is underway for the permanent repairs and reestablishment of four lanes of traffic on the bridge with a focus on substructure repairs which includes the piers. Modified pier design has been reviewed and approved by FDOT, which uses six new piles instead of four piles in the existing footing.
The fabrication of multiple concrete piles, piers, and beams will be required to repair the Pensacola Bay Bridge. To date:
- Fifty-one concrete piles are on-hand at the precast yard. Additional piles are currently being cast and thirty-three concrete piles have been ordered from another facility in Tampa.
- Forty-two prestressed beams have been cast.
- Additional beams will be cast based on the final analysis of some of the damaged areas.
- Replacement piers will begin casting by mid-November 2020.
FDOT has been continuously working to improve the traffic flow along the Pensacola Bay Bridge detour routes and has reduced the average commute time by 25 percent. Additional improvements are underway as construction has begun to widen 2,000 feet of northbound and southbound S.R. 281 south of the I-10 interchange and widen the eastbound I-10 off ramp at eastbound S.R. 281 off ramp to two lanes.
To reinforce FDOT Secretary Kevin J. Thibault’s, P.E. expectation of complete transparency and community assistance, FDOT’s outreach team has met with stakeholder groups, state and local officials, civic organizations and local business owners to discuss the bridge reconstruction as well as other actions that are being considered to efficiently restore regional connectivity. FDOT will continue to meet with multiple stakeholder groups throughout the course of the project.
FDOT continues to develop and improve alternative transportation solutions to move people and goods safely and efficiently through the region while the Pensacola Bay Bridge is being repaired. Examples include:
- Funding the Escambia County Area Transit’s (ECAT) temporary bus route to help transport passengers between the Pensacola Bay Center Park in Escambia County and the Tiger Point Community Center City in Gulf Breeze. ECAT has modified the original route to include stops at the ECAT Transfer Center in Pensacola, the Palm Beach Club and Pensacola Beach Boardwalk in Pensacola Beach, and Gulf Breeze Hospital.
- Gathering information such as potential ridership, times of operation, and duration of service as well as reviewing existing facilities that would be necessary for the safe operation of a ferry.
The Pensacola Bay Bridge has a targeted re-opening date of early March 2021. Once repairs are complete, all four lanes will be open with no load restrictions and at the same condition as expected for new construction. As each repair method is developed, FDOT will be conducting reviews to ensure the contractor is hitting all milestones in the established schedule.
Motorists should continue to use all available detour routes, which include the Garcon Point Bridge and State Road 87. At this time, tolls on the Garcon Point Bridge have been suspended through 6 a.m., Friday, November 13.
Lane Closures Planned All Weekend At Nine Mile, Pine Forest Intersection
October 30, 2020
There were be alternating lane closures at the intersection of Nine Mile and Pine Forest roads from 8 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday as crews pave and restripe the intersection, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Traffic control officers will be on-site to help direct traffic, but drivers can expect delays.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
45,000 Pounds Of Food To Be Given Away Saturday In Walnut Hill, Century
October 30, 2020
Food giveaways will be held Saturday in both Walnut Hill and Century.
A 30,000 pound Farm Share food distribution will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday in Walnut Hill at Bradberry Park on Highway 99A, just behind Ernest Ward Middle School. This will be a drive-thru event and participants should stay in their car. The event is hosted by Justified Incarcerated Ministries and Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry.
A 15,000 pound food giveaway will be held Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. at the Century Business Center, 130 Pond Street. Attendees should stay in their vehicle.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Two Injured When Dump Trucks Crash On Highway 29
October 29, 2020
Two people were injured when three vehicles, including two dump trucks, collided on Highway 29 Thursday afternoon.
One dump truck rear-ended another on southbound Highway 29 at Old Chemstrand Road, and a third smaller truck was also involved.
One person was transported by Escambia County EMS and a second person was reportedly taken to the hospital by private vehicle. One other person was not injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Expects To Complete Restorations By Midnight; EREC Has Restored Two-Thirds Of Outages
October 29, 2020
Gulf Power expects to restore most Hurricane Zeta outages today, and Escambia River Electric Cooperative has restored about two-thirds of their outages.
ESCAMBIA RIVER ELECTRIC
Escambia River Electric was hit particularly hard by Hurricane Zeta with over half of their customers in northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties left without power. Of the 6,126 that lost power, EREC had restored about two-thirds. There were 1,715 still without power as of 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
“We are following the proper steps in power restoration to bring the largest number of members back online in the shortest amount of time. All substations are now energized, and crews are working on main distribution lines and, in some areas, individual tap lines,” EREC Vice President Sabrina Owens said. “Work on our power system will not stop until every member’s electricity has been restored.”
GULF POWER
About 17,000 Gulf Power customers were in the dark after Hurricane Zeta in Escambia County. By late afternoon, service had been restored to all but 457.
“We estimate that power will be essentially restored to all customers by midnight,” Gulf Power said in a statement.
Pictured: Post Hurricane Zeta power restoration efforts by Gulf Power (above) and Escambia River Electric Cooperative (below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Early Voting In Escambia County Resumes Following Hurricane Zeta
October 29, 2020
Early voting in Escambia County reopens at 11 a.m. Thursday.
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections has confirmed all 10 locations are ready to go following Hurricane Zeta.
The early voting sites in Escambia County are:
- 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
Each location will be open until 7 p.m. Thursday and 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Pictured: The early voting location at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century is one of 10 in Escambia County. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
3-Year Old Abducted By His Mother Now Safe, ESCO Says
October 28, 2020
UPDATE: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says Takei Smith has been safely located. No additional information was provided.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says a toddler was abducted by his mother on Wednesday.
The ECSO said Takei Dejayy Smith was taken by his mother Jaclyn Smith.
Jaclyn Smith does not have legal custody of Takei. They were seen leaving the 1600-block of Dogwood Place, near the New Warrington Spur and Mobile Highway. Takei was wearing a white shirt and has green dreads.
Jaclyn Smith is wanted for violation of a domestic violence order and interfering with child custody. If you have any information about their whereabouts, call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or 911.
The ECSO said no photo of Jaclyn Smith was available.
Man Charged With Changing Voter Registration Information Of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
October 28, 2020
A Naples man has been arrested for changing the voter registration of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Steven Guevara, 20, is charged with unauthorized access of a computer and altering a voter registration without consent.
FDLE agents began investigating Monday after Governor DeSantis learned his address in the Florida voting registration database was changed to an address in West Palm Beach.
FDLE said the registration address was changed via computer over a web browser. Agents were able to identify Guevara as the suspect and arrested him at his home following a search warrant Tuesday night.
Agents believe Guevara also accessed the voter registrations of U.S. Senator Rick Scott and sports celebrities Michael Jordan and LeBron James, but made no changes.
FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen said, “I am proud of the quick and detailed work of our agents on this case and appreciate the hard work of the offices of State Attorneys Amira Fox and Jack Campbell. FDLE is committed to ensuring the voting rights of Florida citizens are protected, and we will continue to work with our local, state and federal partners in ensuring the security of our elections.”
Guevara was booked into the Collier County Jail on a $5,000 bond. This case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, 20th Judicial Circuit.
Early Voting Hours Changed By Zeta; Over 100,000 Ballots Cast So Far In Escambia County
October 28, 2020
Over 100,000 votes have been cast so far in Escambia County. Early voting will continue through Saturday, but hours will be abbreviated due to Hurricane Zeta.
Due to the storm, the 10 early voting locations in Escambia County will close at 3 p.m. Wednesday and reopen at 11 a.m. on Thursday, according to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford.
As of Tuesday night, a total of 101,913 ballots have been cast in Escambia County, a 43.88% voter turnout one week before the election. The total was almost evenly split between vote by mail with 51.111 ballots received and early voting with 50,768 ballots cast since October 19.
The 10 early voting sites in Escambia County are:
- 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
Regular 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. early voting hours will resume on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31.
Pictured: The early voting location at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century is one of 10 in Escambia County. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Skanska: Yes, We Are Securing Our Barges
October 28, 2020
Skanska said the company is securing their barges and other equipment in advance of Zeta.
The company released the following statement:
“As the Gulf Coast prepares for inclement weather, we are closely monitoring Hurricane Zeta’s path in conjunction with our partners with the goal of ensuring the safety of the community and our workers. Skanska is in the process of making necessary storm preparations, including securing barges and cranes, and mobilizing equipment into safe harbor.
“To date, we have recovered 18 of the 23 barges that ran aground as a results of Hurricane Sally, including all of those barges that impacted private property. Three barges that were under the Pensacola Bay Bridge have been retrieved with a fourth ballasted and anchored under the bridge. The remaining barges that have yet to be retrieved are being reinforced and secured in place in anticipation of possible storm impacts.”
Pictured: Skanska barges along Bayfront Parkway in downtown Pensacola, not far from the Pensacola Bay Bridge. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
