FDOT Begins Demolition On Damaged Pensacola Bay Bridge; Updates Latest Repair Info
September 29, 2020
Demolition efforts got underway Monday on the Hurricane Sally and barge damaged areas of the Pensacola Bay Bridge as the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) statewide team of bridge experts are nearing the conclusion of inspecting and assessing the structure.
“Once the situation is fully assessed, and damages are fully understood, appropriate parties will be held responsible for the repairs,” FDOT said in a statement Monday.
The survey of the piers and topside inspections have been completed along with most of the underwater footings. The priority demolition efforts are focused on the areas that need to be cleared for dive access to examine the final 22 footings below the waterline. The contractor is utilizing additional resources to expedite demolition.
Three of the Skanska’s barges remain on or under the bridge and the removal of those barges will have to be done with great caution, according to FDOT. Skanska has prioritized the removal of the barges and will work closely with FDOT to ensure the least amount of additional damage possible to the bridge in this effort.
The design is underway for the permanent repairs and reestablishment of four lanes of traffic on the bridge. Durability, and ensuring there is absolutely no reduction in the bridge’s strength as a result of the repairs, remains paramount in the design plans, FDOT said.
FDOT hopes to have the final total number of the spans/piers that will ultimately need to be replaced by the end of this week, Skanska has already fabricated 25 beams and the piers needed to begin repairs. The contractor has also begun constructing more replacement beams and piers at its offsite yard and has reached out to other facilities to assist in production. This aggressive effort will allow the installation of these items to commence as soon as demolition of the damaged items are complete.
Further preliminary inspection findings include:
To date, FDOT divers have inspected 202 underwater footings while top side inspection teams have assessed 105 spans, 202 piers and 525 beams.
The number of spans requiring full replacement remains at five and FDOT has identified an additional two that will require partial replacement.
FDOT will have to replace a number of beams and is still determining the specific number needing replacement.
FDOT and its partners have made the reopening of the Pensacola Bay Bridge a top priority with numerous efforts underway, but the bridge will remain closed until further notice.
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, October 23.
ECUA Trash Collection May Run A Day Behind This Week
September 29, 2020
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority may be running behind schedule by a day or so this week due to increase collections
“ECUA is experiencing very high levels of household garbage, yard waste, and bulk waste items as a result of Hurricane Sally. ECUA collected a record-breaking 2,224 tons of waste the week after the hurricane, 49% more than the previous week (1508 tons), and we expect to break this record yet again with this week’s collections,” ECUA Public Information Officer Nathalie Bowers said. “While we have returned to a normal collection schedule, we anticipate that collections will begin to fall behind by one day.”
She said the delays are because:
- High collection volumes (trucks fill up faster and need to make more trips to the landfill, taking more time to complete their route).
- The County’s contracted storm debris crews are also using the Perdido Landfill and all vehicles are currently experiencing significantly longer wait times to enter and dispose of the materials at the landfill.
- Some streets and roads (or portions thereof) are still inaccessible to sanitation collection vehicles due to increased traffic, debris, or downed utilities, slowing down the collection process or requiring a second pass.
“If any waste collections are missed, it is likely that the truck did not finish its daily route. Be assured that the truck will complete its route the next day,” Bowers said.
In Escambia County, all collections will completed by Saturday. Collections in Santa Rosa County will be caught up by Wednesday and Saturday. If a collection has not been completed within these time parameters, customers are asked to contact the ECUA Customer Service Department by calling (850) 476-0480 or via email at customer.service@ecua.fl.gov.
Pre-Order The New Blue Angels License Plate Today
September 29, 2020
The new Blue Angels license plate is available for pre-order.
Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 1135 into law, approving the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation’s Blue Angels specialty license plate. The plate features four blue and gold F/A-18s between the words “Florida” and “Home of the Blue Angels.”
The Department of Motor Vehicle’s process to establish a new specialty license plate requires the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation to sell 3,000 vouchers. The voucher is redeemable for the plate once the sale requirement has been met and the plates are in production. This is accomplished by pre‑sale of a voucher that indicates drivers will purchase the plate. Purchasing a voucher ensures the plate will go into production as quickly as possible.
The Escambia County Tax Collector, in partnership with the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, is offering online pre-deposits to collect all 3,000 commitments or more prior to the official release on October 1.
The $30 vouchers are available to Floridians in all counties for presale exclusively through the Escambia County Tax Collector’s website. Please visit https://escambiataxcollector.com/voucher for more information and to make your purchase.
The Naval Aviation Museum Foundation is offering numbered Commemorative Challenge Coins to the first 3,000 Floridians who purchase a voucher from the Escambia County Tax Collector’s website. The 1.5-inch antique bronze coin showcases the Blue Angels crest on the front and the words, “I Helped Make History” on the back. This exclusive coin is a way to thank those who helped make the Blue Angels license plate a reality for the State of Florida.
“There’s a lot of enthusiasm throughout the state about this tag,” said Duane Thiessen, President and CEO of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. “Revenues generated from the plate will support STEM education programs and ensure the next generation of children and adults have access to our unique collection of aircraft and exhibits,” said Thiessen.
To pre-order go online to https://escambiataxcollector.com/voucher. On after October 16, 2020, visit any Florida tax collector’s office to purchase a voucher. If purchased through the Escambia County Tax Collector portal, Floridians will receive a receipt for payment by email. Shortly thereafter, they will receive a second email from the Escambia County Tax Collector’s office to secure additional details about their purchase and the intended recipient.
“Escambia County is blessed to be the home of the world-class National Naval Aviation Museum and National Flight Academy. We are proud to partner with the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation to promote this plate and honor all naval aviators on whose shoulders both institutions were built. The purchase of a Blue Angels specialty plate is an investment in our community and our children,” said Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford.
ECSO Searching For Missing, Endangered Adult
September 28, 2020
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing endangered adult that may be in need of medical attention.
Hunter Ryland Clem, 22 was last seen about 9 a.m. Monday in the 8400 block of Klondike Road. He was wearing a black shirt and black pants. He is approximately 5′9″ and 155 pounds.
Anyone that may know where he is, or has seen him, is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
No Injuries In Crash Involving SUV, Big Wheel Farm Machinery
September 28, 2020
There were no injuries when a SUV and a large fertilizer spreader sideswiped in Bratt Monday afternoon.
It happened on North Highway 99 at Ashcraft Road. Both drivers refused transport by ambulance to the hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating exactly how the crash occurred.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Four Vehicle Crash Closes Garcon Point Bridge
September 28, 2020
A four vehicle crash closed the Garcon Point Bridge to traffic Monday morning, cutting off the shortest detour route around the hurricane and barge damaged Pensacola Bay Bridge.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 51-year old Escambia County man was traveling southbound on the bridge in a tree truck when he failed to stop and rear ended a car driven by a 53-year old Escambia County woman. The woman’s sedan was pushed into another SUV and a pickup truck.
Photos courtesy Midway Fire District for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Unemployment Drops By About One-Third
September 28, 2020
The unemployment rate in Escambia County declined by about one-third in August, according to data recently released by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 6.1% in August, down from 9.3% in July. That represents 8,665 people out of work out of a county workforce of 143,166. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was just 3.3%, or 4,876 people.
“Even better news is Escambia County and Santa Rosa County are below that statewide average. Obviously now with the hurricane, we’ve got some more recovery to do with out businesses and our families,” said Florida DEO Dan Eagle.
DEO announced the Pensacola area private-sector employment decreased by 7,300 jobs (-4.6 percent) over the year. The industry losing the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality (-3,400 jobs).
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.4 percent in August 2020, down 4.0 percentage points from the revised July 2020 rate, and up 4.4 percentage points from a year ago. There were 753,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 10,138,000. T
The U.S. unemployment rate was 8.4 percent in August.
All Traditional Escambia Students Now Receive Free Meals; Remote Student Meal Locations Updated
September 28, 2020
All Escambia County School District students will receive free meals as of Monday, September 28, and pick up locations for remote learners have been adjusted.
All traditional learning (brick and mortar) students will receive free meals at school at no charge, according to the Escambia County School District Food Service Department.
ECSD’s pick up breakfast and lunch service has now been expanded to include any child 18 and under. Families can continue to pick-up meals for multiple students in one stop.
“If the child is not in the car, parents picking up meals will need to provide the names of the children who will receive the meals” said Jaleena Davis, ECSD director of School Food Service. “Distribution location changes were made based on the numbers of families who have frequented our school sites and comparing our locations with other local sources.”
Some schools were removed the distribution list for remote learners (including Ernest Ward Middle). The new ECSD school distribution sites and times, effective Sept 28, are listed below:
6:15 to 7:00 a.m
Jim Allen Elementary School, 1051 Hwy. 95A North, Cantonment
6:30 – 7:00 a.m
- Bellview Elementary School, 4425 Bellview Ave.
- Brentwood Elementary School, 4820 N. Palafox St. (HWY 29)
- Ensley Elementary School, 501 E. Johnson Ave.
- Ferry Pass Elementary School, 8310 N. Davis Hwy.
- Global Learning Academy, 100 North P St.,
- L.D. McArthur Elementary School, 330 East Ten Mile Rd.
- Molino Park Elementary School, 899 Highway 97, Molino
- Montclair Elementary School, 820 Massachusetts Ave.
- Myrtle Grove Elementary School, 6115 Lillian Hwy.
- Oakcrest Elementary School, 1820 N. Hollywood Blvd
- Pleasant Grove Elementary School, 3000 Owen Bell Lane
- Scenic Heights Elementary School, 3801 Cherry Laurel Dr.
- Warrington Elementary School, 220 N. Navy Blvd.
- C.A. Weis Elementary School, 2701 North Q St.
- West Pensacola Elementary School, 801 North 49th Ave.
At 6:45 – 7:30 a.m. meals may be picked up at:
- Booker T. Washington High School, 6000 College Pkwy.
7:00 – 7:30 a.m.
- Northview High School, 4100 West Highway 4, Bratt
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
- Jim C. Bailey Middle School, 4110 Bauer Rd.
- Beulah Middle School, 6001 W. Nine Mile Rd.
- Ferry Pass Middle School, 8355 Yancey Ave.
- Warrington Middle School, 459 South Old Corry Field Rd.
- Workman Middle School, 6299 Lanier Dr.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Florida Gas Prices Slip A Few Cents
September 28, 2020
Florida gas prices slipped just a little lower last week.
The state average declined another three cents, dropping to $2.10 per gallon; though prices are closer to $2 or below at many stations across Florida.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County Sunday night was $2.13, up slightly from $2.09 a month ago but well below the $2.47 a year ago. In North Escambia, two Cantonment stations were at $2.06 Sunday night, while Pensacola’s low price was $1.90 at two wholesale clubs.
Florida’s average price of $2.10 per gallon is the lowest since August 31. Pump prices are 36 cents per gallon less than this time last year.
Gas prices are following their seasonal trend of declining during the fall,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “With summer over and school back in session, Americans typically begin to cutback on road trips. The combination of lower fuel demand and strong gasoline supply levels is keeping downward pressure on prices at the pump.”
Gasoline demand is 9 percent lower than a year ago, according to weekly fuel data from the Energy Information Administration. Meanwhile, gasoline supplies are holding steady at nearly 5 percent higher than this time last year.
Red Cross Is Offering Financial Assistance To Hurricane Victims Beginning Today
September 28, 2020
The American Red Cross will begin providing direct financial assistance today to those that lost their home during Hurricane Sally.
Households whose home are destroyed or sustained major damage from from the hurricane may contact the Red Cross by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS and selecting option 4 to speak to an agent to complete an application for financial assistance.
Assistance lines are open Monday through Sunday from 7:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. The deadline to apply for emergency assistance is Sunday, October 11 at 10 p.m.
This financial assistance will allow people to make their own decisions and prioritize what their family needs most to start recovering. Funds can help families replace clothes or food, offset transportation costs, or support any other immediate need. Spending these funds locally will also support local communities as they begin recovering, according to the Red Cross.