Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Delay Spots
June 29, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
In preparation for the Independence Day holiday weekend, there will be no lane closures or other activities that impede traffic on state roads beginning at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 3, and ending 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 6.
Escambia County:
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. The week of Sunday, June 28 through Wednesday, July 1 and from 8 p.m. to midnight on Thursday, July 2.
o Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
o Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90)– U.S. 29 between Nine & Half Mile Road and Broad Street will experience multiple changes to traffic patterns beginning Sunday, June 28 at 8 p.m. as crews begin construction of the median and crossovers. The following changes will be implemented:
- Southbound U.S. 29 will be transitioned onto the newly constructed southbound lanes. Northbound lanes will remain in the current pattern.
- The new southbound U.S. 29/ Nine Mile Road on-and-off ramps will be open.
- The bi-directional turn lane between Nine Mile Road and Broad Street will be closed to allow for the construction of the median. The following median openings will be as follows:
- Full, signalized opening at Broad Street, Detroit Boulevard, and W. Hood Drive.
- Full, non-signalized opening at Hannah Street.
- Southbound left turn lanes between the bridge and Hood Drive, at Devane Street and Carolina Drive.
- Throughout the week, drivers traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass, and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and Nine & Half Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297)- The westbound lane between I-10 and Pine Forest Road will be closed from 8 p.m. Sunday, June 28 to 6 a.m. Monday, June 29 as crews perform roadway testing. Traffic will be allowed in one direction at a time with flaggers on hand to direct motorists. In addition, a portion of the I-10 off-ramp that connects to Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) westbound remains closed. Drivers can continue to access Nine Mile Road east and westbound using the other section of the ramp. The partial ramp closure is needed to reconstruct the ramp.
- · Perdido Key Drive (S.R. 292) Pedestrian Crosswalk Construction at Flora-Bama- The pedestrian crosswalk signal is now operational. Drivers are reminded to use caution when approaching.
- · 9th Avenue, Davis Highway (State Road (S.R.) 291), Alcaniz Street (S.R. 289), Wright Street (U.S. 98) Underground Sewer Line Videography- Traffic may encounter intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday until Tuesday, June 30 as crews inspect sanitary sewer lines.
- · Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Drainage Improvements at the intersection of Perry Avenue- The southbound lane will be closed at the intersection of Perry Avenue weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Friday, July 10.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of County Road (C.R.) 184 (Muscogee Road) to S.R. 97 (Atmore Highway)- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews continue construction activities at various locations. There will also be intermittent and alternating nighttime lane restriction at the intersection of U.S. 29 and Muscogee Road/Becks Lake Road.
- · Michigan Avenue (S.R. 296) at Mobile Highway and Memphis Avenue- Construction activities have begun on the safety improvement. No lane closures anticipated at this time.
- · Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road
(S.R. 295) – Construction activities are underway. Drivers can expect lane closures between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Santa Rosa County:
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement - Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, June 28 through Wednesday, July 1 and from 8 p.m. to midnight on Thursday, July 2.
o Intermittent east and westbound lane closures from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
o Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · S.R. 87 Resurfacing from south of Clear Creek to north of S.R. 4- Neal Kennington Road at S.R. 87 will be closed to all traffic from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday, June 30 to allow crews to perform drainage upgrades. Drivers may utilize Coldwater Creek Church Road and Lewis Road as a detour route. Variable Message Boards are in place to notify the public of the temporary closure. Detour signage will be placed to assist in directing traffic. Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions along the project. Lane closures will not be allowed near Allentown Road Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. during active school periods.
- · S.R. 4 Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements from the Escambia River Bridge to Market Road (C.R. 87A) in Jay –There will be a slow-moving vehicle used to perform striping operations. There will also be intermittent shoulder closures throughout the project.
- · U.S. 98 Turn Lane Construction from Heritage Parkway to Braden Road– The eastbound, outside lane will be closured from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, June 29 through Wednesday, July 1
- · I-10 Routine Bridge Repair over Blackwater River – Motorists will encounter alternating eastbound lane closures from 8 p.m. Monday, June 29 to 4 a.m. Tuesday, June 30.
- · U.S. 90 Pavement Marking Operations from Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281) to the Okaloosa County Line-Motorists can expect minor delays Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Thursday, Aug. 27 as slow-moving vehicles are used to perform pavement marking operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
15% Of Century’s Fire Hydrants Are In Bad Shape. Seven Don’t Work At All.
June 28, 2020
A survey of the 133 fire hydrants on the Century water system found that 17 are in poor to failed condition. Seven of those don’t work at all.
A Century Water System Asset Management and Fiscal Sustainability Plan from the Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA) found the problems. The plan was accepted and approved by the town council recently.
Just five hydrants are classified as being in good to excellent condition. There are 91 (81% of the total) in average condition with only minor to moderate corrosion, broken chains, minor leaks, or needing paint.
Seven are in poor condition with moderate to heavy corrosion, some difficulty turning, too low the ground or other problems.
Three are in very poor condition that need to be service or repaired within the next three years, according to the water association. They are knocked over, or are leaning too much.
Six of the seven failed hydrants have seized operating nuts and one has a broken stem that spins freely. FRWA says the fire hydrants need to be replace immediately for fire prevention capabilities and to allow the water system to be flushed to maintain drinking water quality.
It will cost an estimated $29,500 to replace the seven failed hydrants, plus $5,000 to repair the 10 poor to very poor condition hydrants, according to FRWA.
Here are the fire hydrants in poor to failed condition:
FAILED
East Pond St/Ramar St — Operating nut seized, severe corrosion
Jefferson Ave/Mayo Lane – Operating nut seized
Jefferson Ave south of Jim Lane — Operating nut seized
Highway 4 north of Campbell Rd – Operating nut seized
Old Flomaton Rd — Operating nut seized
N Century Blvd/Tedder St — Stem broke, spins freely
Front St/Lodge Dr — Operating nut seized
VERY POOR CONDITION
Jefferson Ave SW of Church St – Knocked over
Alger Rd south of Plum St — Leaning backward 45 degrees
N Century Blvd/W Cottage St — Leaning 30 degrees, operating fine
POOR CONDITION
2nd St between Industrial and Hadley — Operating nut super tight, needs grease
N Century Blvd SW of Hudson Hill Rd — Leaning significantly, too low to the ground
Campbell Rd/Fannie Rd — Operating nut super tight, needs grease, front outer welded
Freedom Rd/Camellia Gardens – Significantly leaking, operating nut super tight
Old Flomaton Rd — (no reason provided)
Mayo St/Church St – Too low to the ground, needs to be raised
Hwy 29 west of Jackson St – Buried to outlets
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Central Water Works Temporarily Closes Business Office After COVID-19 Exposures
June 28, 2020
Century Water Works has temporarily closed their business office to the public due to COVID-19 exposures.
“A few of our staff members learned they had been exposed to COVID-19,” the utility said in an email to NorthEscambia.com. “Out of concern for the health and safety of our customers, we have closed our office to customers until at least July 10th.”
The staff members will be tested, but those results won’t be available for a few days. Century Water Works said that none of the staff have shown any symptoms of illness.
Customers can still leave payments in a secure dropbox on the front of the building, pay their bill by mail, make a credit or debit card payment by phone or pay online. Staff members will also be available to provide customers service by phone or email.
And the utility is still responding to service requests as usual.
Central Water Works serves about 1,000 members in the McDavid, Century and Flomaton areas from their business office on Byrneville Road.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF Mandates Masks For Visitors
June 28, 2020
The University of West Florida has established new guidelines and protocols for visitors to protect the health and safety of the university community.
Visitors, vendors and volunteers are required to comply with the below guidelines and protocols that promote a safer and healthier campus:
- Do not visit a UWF location if you are sick.
- A face covering is required everywhere at UWF except when in a private office, and areas separated by at least six feet from others.
- Practice social distancing:
- Stay at least six feet, or about two arms’ length, from other people.
- Do not gather in groups.
- Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings.
- Follow Centers for Disease Control prevention guidelines.
Any individual on campus who refuses to adhere to university health and safety policies will be asked to leave the premises immediately, UWF said in a released statement.
Former County Administrator Becomes Pensacola Airport Director This Week
June 28, 2020
Former interim Escambia County Administrator Matt Coughlin will become the next director of the Pensacola International Airport this week.
He is the current deputy airport director and will be promoted with the retirement of Dan Flynn on Monday.
Coughlin was previously the commanding officer of NAS Whiting Field, the assistant airport director from 2014-2017, before becoming interim Escambia County administrator. He resigned from the Escambia County, citing “tribalism” within the county, in August 2019 to return to the airport on September 9, 2019.
Highway 29 Traffic To Be Shifted Sunday Night; New Nine Mile Exit Ramp To Open
June 28, 2020
Highway between Nine & Half Mile Road and Broad Street will experience multiple changes to traffic patterns beginning Sunday at 8 p.m. as crews begin construction of the median and crossovers.
Drivers can expect the following changes:
- Southbound Highway 29 will be transitioned onto the newly constructed southbound lanes. Northbound will remain in its current pattern.
- The new southbound Highway 29 and Nine Mile Road on- and off-ramps will be open. (The old ramps are not going away; they will be used transformed into frontage roads to access businesses in the area.)
- The bi-directional turn lane between Nine Mile Road and Broad Street will be closed to allow for the construction of the median. The following median openings will be as follows:
- Full, signalized opening at Broad Street, Detroit Boulevard, and W. Hood Drive
- Full, non-signalized opening at Hannah Street
- Southbound left turns between the bridge and Hood Drive, at Devane Street and Carolina Drive
Throughout the week, drivers traveling Nine Mile Road at the Highway 29 overpass, and Highway 29 traffic between I-10 and Nine & Half Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Six Injured In Highway 97 Crash
June 27, 2020
Six people were injured in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 97 near Walnut Hill Friday afternoon.
A Hyundai Sante Fe and a Chevrolet Cruze were involved in a t-bone type collision on Highway 97 at Highway 164. Both vehicles came to rest off the roadway.
Five of the injured, including at least two juveniles, were transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS. One other person was taken by private vehicle to Atmore Community Hospital.
None of the injuries were considered life threatening.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Plans Finalized For Four-Day Blue Angels Show Over Pensacola Beach To Orange Beach
June 27, 2020
Plans have been finalized for the 2020 Pensacola Beach Air Show in July.
The four-day event program has been designed around social distancing while following CDC guidance for the COVID-19 virus.
To further comply with CDC recommendations, the 2020 air show has no center point, which allows the footprint to be expanded substantially.
The modified program for 2020 will provide an air show from Park East on Pensacola Beach to Orange Beach, Alabama. Fans of the Blue Angels will have an opportunity to view and hear the series of beach flyovers on July 8, 9, 10 and 11.
Each day will have similar flight maneuvers and each show will last 45 minutes, weather permitting. This expanded schedule will give the public four different opportunities to view the performances at least once.
To beat the summer heat and reduce the strain on available resources, each show day will begin at 10 a.m. with aerial displays along the beach.
On Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, three civilian acts will follow the Blue Angels performance, and these will be flown over Casino Beach from 11:30 a.m. to noon.
Photo: Apparent Funnel Cloud Near Byrneville
June 27, 2020
This photo taken Friday afternoon at Highway 4 and the eastern end Bratt Road near Byrneville appears to show a weak funnel cloud. David Burkett said the funnel touched the ground and swirled for about four minutes before it slowly went back up. The storm was moving west toward Bratt.
There was no damage reported, and there were no watches or warnings in effect at the time.
Photo by David Burkett for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
144 Century Prison Inmates Out Of Medical Quarantine After One Inmate Tests Negative For Virus
June 27, 2020
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An inmate that was placed in medical isolation this week at Century Correctional Institution has tested negative for COVID-19.
An additional 144 inmates have been moved out of medical quarantine.
There have been six inmates tested for the virus at Century CI, and all have tested negative.
However, three staff members have tested positive – one in late March and two recently.
Large numbers of CCI inmates have periodically been placed in medical quarantine for short periods of time during the pandemic. Inmates in medical quarantine are monitored by health services staff and receive temperature checks twice a day for signs of fever. If an inmate begins experiencing symptoms indicative of COVID-19, FDC will place the inmate in medical isolation and a COVID-19 test will be administered.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
