FDOT Weekly Traffic Alerts – This Week’s State Road Slowdowns
January 28, 2019
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
- U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road - Construction work will close Beulah Road south of the Nine Mile Road intersection from 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25 through 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 28 and 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1 through 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 4. During the weekend closures, crews will remove the existing section of Beulah Road, build up and widen the lanes, pave, and restripe the roadway. Drivers may utilize Rebel Road, Beulah Church Road, and Beulah Road. Variable message boards and signs are in place to direct traffic.
- U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) and County Road (C.R.) 99 (Beulah Road) Intersection –Intermittent lane restrictions from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26 as crews install mast arms for the new traffic signal. There will be no lane closures allowed from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Lane closures will take place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 27 through Sunday, Feb.3:
- U.S. 98 east and westbound from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to just east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- 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 U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) – The following traffic impacts will occur from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 27 through Saturday, Feb. 2.
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new northbound bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drainage and paving operations continue. Drivers can expect alternating lane closures Monday through Saturday.
- U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road– Paving operations continue from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 28 through Sunday, Feb.3.
- State Road (S.R.) 292 (Pace Boulevard) from Romana street to Garden Street – The northbound outside lane between Romana Street and Garden Street will be closed from 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30 to 5 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 31 as crews construct a new commercial driveway.
- Crary Road Bridge Replacement- Crary Road is closed between Tedder Road and Byrneville Road as crews construct a bridge culvert. Motorists will be detoured via C.R. 4 and Byrneville Road.
- Bratt Road Bridge Replacement over Canoe Creek - Bratt Road will continue to be closed near Canoe Creek. Drivers on Bratt Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to Pine Barren Road and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will be detoured east on Bratt Road.
- Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek - Construction activities are scheduled to begin the week of Feb. 4, 2019. The roadway will be temporarily closed during construction. Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to C.R. 99 and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will utilize Pine Barren Road.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Lane closures will take place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 27 through Sunday, Feb. 4:
- U.S. 98 east and westbound from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to just east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola, between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Routine Bridge Maintenance over Mulatto Bayou – The southbound, outside lane will be closed over Mulatto Bayou, about one mile north of I-10, from 8 p.m. to 12-mignight Thursday, Jan. 31 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.
- I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance over S.R. 87 - The eastbound, outside lane over S.R. 87, 9 1/2 miles east of S.R. 281, will be closed from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. Friday, Feb. 1 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance
- S.R. 4 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Cold Water Creek – Drivers will encounter alternating east and westbound lane restrictions over Cold Water Creek, about three miles east of S.R. 89, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3 and Monday, Feb. 4 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.
- S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to C.R. 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) – Drivers may encounter intermittent southbound lane closures at the Yellow River bridge from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28 and Tuesday, Jan. 29.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
January 28, 2019
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings this week:
Monday, Jan. 28
Northwest Florida Regional Transportation Planning Organization Board – 9:30 a.m., Santa Rosa County Visitor Information Center, 8543 Navarre Parkway, Navarre
Library Board of Governance – 4 p.m., 1200 W. Langley Ave.
Escambia County Delegation Public Meeting – 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
Tuesday, Jan. 29
Emergency Medical Specialist Interviews – Emergency Medical Services – 10 a.m., Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 N. “W” St.
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Home How to Workshop for Residents – 5:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Wednesday, Jan. 30
Emergency Medical Specialist Interviews – Emergency Medical Services – 10 a.m., Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 N. “W” St.
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Thursday, Jan. 31
ECAT Proposed Route Recommendation Workshop for Community Transportation Project – 5 p.m., Molino Community Center & Historical Museum, 6450 Highway 95-A, Molino
Friday, Feb. 1
Veterans Services Officer Interviews – 8:30 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Saturday, Feb. 2
Pensacola Beach Lifeguards Tryout – 11 a.m., University of West Florida Aquatic Center, 11000 University Parkway, Building 72
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Lawmakers Balk at ‘Bundled’ Ballot Measures
January 28, 2019
“Bundled” constitutional amendments, which led in November to voters casting ballots on proposals that combined seemingly unrelated issues such as vaping and offshore oil drilling, would be a thing of the past under a measure that started moving in the Senate.
The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved a proposal (SJR 74) that targets the type of bundled ballot proposals that came out of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission last year.
Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican who is sponsoring the proposed change, called his measure a start. But he’s also interested in a separate measure (SJR 362) by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that would eliminate the commission, which meets every 20 years and has unique powers to put proposals on the ballot.
“I would be interested in abolishing the CRC. I haven’t made a final decision about whether I’m going to support that bill,” Bradley said after the committee meeting. “What I do know is that if we’re going to have a CRC, they need to stop the bundling.”
Last year the 37-member commission met for months before putting seven proposed amendments on the ballot. Five included more than a single subject. All of those proposals were approved by voters.
Amendment 7, for example, dealt with payment of death benefits for first responders killed while performing official duties and the creation of a governance system for the 28 state and community colleges. Amendment 9 prohibits drilling for gas and oil in state coastal waters and bans vaping and the use of electronic cigarettes in workplaces.
Another measure, Amendment 10, requires all charter-county governments to have elected constitutional officers, including sheriffs. It also set the start of the annual state legislative session in January in even-numbered years, creates the Office of Domestic Security and Counterterrorism within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and deals with the state Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
In May, Brecht Heuchan, chairman of the commission’s Style and Drafting Committee which put together the final proposals, defended the use of grouping by noting it was done by constitution revision commissions in 1998 and 1978.
“In fact, it was done more prolifically than we did,” Heuchan said. “We grouped less than either of the two earlier CRCs. In fact, at the bedrock of all of this, the Constitution that we are operating under now, which was ratified in 1968 by the voters … at its point of ratification, the entire Constitution was bundled or grouped, depending on the word you want to choose, into three amendments.”
With all of the commission proposals approved in November, Bradley said Floridians apparently have a natural default to vote yes more than no.
“That is not how this is supposed to work,” Bradley said. “Voters should have clear choices presented to them when they’re engaged in amending our fundamental law.”
His proposal would require that any constitutional revision from the commission “must embrace but one subject.”
The Constitution Revision Commission doesn’t meet again until 2037.
Bradley’s proposal, if approved by the Legislature, would go before voters in 2020. The bill must still go before the Ethics and Elections and the Rules committees to reach the Senate floor.
Showing support for Bradley’s proposal, Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez, D-Miami, withdrew his own measure (SJR 86), which also targeted bundling. A similar bill (HJR 53) has been filed in the House for consideration during the legislative session that starts March 5.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Carsyn Dortch Named Miss Ernest Ward (With Pageant Photo Gallery)
January 27, 2019
Carsyn Laine Dortch was named Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Saturday night in a “The Greatest Show” themed pageant at the school.
Third runner-up was Jamison Abigail Gilman, second runner-up was McKenna Rae Simmons, and the first runner-up in the annual pageant was Emma Sage Gilmore.
The Personality Award went to McKenna Rae Simmons; Miss Hospitality, the People’s Choice Award and the Physical Fitness Award to Jessica Faith Stabler; the Poise and Appearance Award to Emma Sage Gilmore; and Miss Congeniality to Carsyn Laine Dortch.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the pageant, click here.
Pictured top: Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Carsyn Laine Dortch. Pictured below in descending order: First Runner-up Emma Sage Gilmore, second runner-up McKenna Rae Simmons, and Third Runner-up Jamison Abigail Gilman. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Is Sonny’s BBQ Coming To Molino?
January 27, 2019
A spray painted sign in Molino has created quite the social media stir among local residents.
There may be a Smokey Bear nearby, but don’t get your hopes up for a smoked pork plate just yet.
The sign proclaims “Sonny’s BBQ Coming Soon” at Highway 29 and Highway 196. That’s near the Florida Forest Service fire tower, the local home of Smokey.
A spokesperson for Sonny’s corporate office told NorthEscambia.com Friday that there is no Sonny’s coming to Molino anytime soon. The only new Sonny’s in the near future for Escambia or Santa Rosa counties will be in Pace.
Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
January 27, 2019
Tate High School recently announced Gustavo Pineda-Mendoza and Laya Denae Seals as November Students of the Month. They are pictured with Principal Rick Shackle. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Leaders Attend Governmental Prayer Breakfast
January 27, 2019
Leaders from across the area gathered Saturday morning in Pensacola for the annual Governmental Prayer Breakfast. The non-denominational event seeks to cross political lines is to encourage moral and spiritual values in government.
County Judge Robert Hilliard was honored with the God in Government Award during the event.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cold Weather Doesn’t Deter Runners In First Century Cross Country Classic
January 27, 2019
The temperature was just below freezing Saturday morning for the start of the Century Cross Country Classic 5K, but that did not stop runners in the inaugural event.
Runners and walkers took to a 5K course that wound through a mixture of grass, gravel, dirt and pavement across both Anthony Pleasant Park and Showalter Park. There was a also a half mile fun run/walk.
Top overall and male runner was Brandon Korinchak, and top female runner was Jillan Thorton.
“It’s the perfect setting for a community cross country race and it’s safer because it’s not being conducted on a city street. Anthony Pleasant and Buck Showalter are two Century sports icons. They have given notoriety to Century in professional sports. How fitting that we exercise through the parks named after them,” race director Matt Dobson said.
Results were as follows:
Brandon Korinchak – 20:16
Chance Thornton – 20:46
David Dobson – 21:02
Jillian Thornton – 23:26
Hannah Whitlock – 23:41
Roger Dobson – 26:23
Jeff Word – 28:02
Luke Broom – 31:30
Wanda Roberson – 32:02
Natalie Nall – 32:57
Michelle McClellan – 35:20
Kim Carroll – 35:22
Daphne Clark – 37:35
Carl Emmons – 38:55
Caroline McClellan – 39:47
Michele Criswell – 40:56
Gerald Mckenzie – 44:35
Liz Miller – 44:36
John Kleiner – 45:24
Marlene Brown – 45:25
Terri Emmons – 47:58
Kristina Broom – 50:32
Cheryl Boutwell – 54:11
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECSO Investigates Attempted Kidnapping Of 14-Year Old Girl
January 27, 2019
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the attempted kidnapping of a 14-year old girl Saturday in a neighborhood just off Davis Highway north of I-10.
The victim told deputies that a white male about 30-40 years old with green eyes and gray hair got out of a white van in the 1800 block of Atwood Drive. She said the male attempted to grab her while walking, but she was able to break free, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The victim told deputies that she had seen the van in the area two days before the incident but did not report it.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking for citizens to report any suspicious two-door white vans in the area of Blackwell Lane and Davis Highway to (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers (850) 433-STOP.
Vehicle Found Wrecked In Molino, No Driver Around
January 27, 2019
Emergency personnel responded to a vehicle wreck on Highway 196 near Highway 95A early Sunday morning, but no one was around when they arrived.
A white Nissan Versa with front end damage and deployed airbags was discovered off the roadway about 2 a.m.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.