FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
April 2, 2018
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:
- State Road (S.R.) 742 (Creighton Road) Construction Improvement Project from east of Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to Scenic Highway (U.S. 90)- Alternating and intermittent lane closures between Davis Highway and Scenic Highway from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, April 1 through Saturday, April 7 continue as crews perform milling, paving, sidewalk and curb replacement. Motorists are reminded to use caution when traveling 9th Ave. at Creighton Road as drivers become accustomed to new traffic patterns.
· U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, April 1 through Sunday, April 8 as crews perform construction activities.
· U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, April 1 through Saturday, April 7 as follows:
o Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: North and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new center bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
o U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drivers may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations. U.S. 29 lane restrictions are Monday through Saturday.
· U.S. 29 Resurfacing between U.S. 90 and Muscogee Road – Alternating north and southbound lane closures from Muscogee Road to West 9 ½ Mile Road from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, April 2 through Saturday, April 7 as crews pave the roadway.
· Interstate 10 (I-10) Routine Bridge Maintenance over Escambia Bay- There will be westbound lane restrictions on the Escambia Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. Monday, April 2 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, April 3 as crews perform routine maintenance operations.
· S.R. 95 Underground Utility Work Between Salter’s Lake Road and S.R. 4 in Century- The northbound, outside lane between Salter’s Lake Road and S.R. 4 will be closed from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Monday, April 23 as crews perform underground utility work.
· I-10 / U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- The following traffic impacts are planned on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exits 10) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, April 2 through Thursday, April 5:
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- Alternating lane closures on I-10 east and westbound and U.S. 29 north and southbound.
- The U.S. 29 on-ramps to I-10 eastbound will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
- Alternating lane closures on the I-10 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 29 north and south (Exit 10).
· S.R. 292 (Perdido Key Drive) Turn Lane Construction just east of River Road-East and westbound traffic on Perdido Key Drive will encounter a traffic shift just east of River Road through 8 a.m. Friday, May 4. The temporary shift will allow crews to construct an eastbound, left and westbound, right turn lane. Lane width will be reduced to 11-feet and the speed limit will be lowered to 35 miles per hour within the construction zone.
· I-10 over Perdido River Routine Maintenance, Alabama- Florida Line- Traffic will encounter intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, April 3 and Thursday, April 4 as crews replace joints.
Santa Rosa County:
· U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating lane closures on U.S. 98 east and westbound, between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, April 1 through Sunday, April 8 as crews perform construction activities.
· I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) - Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east Avalon Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, April 1 through Friday, April 6 as crews work to widen the roadway. In addition, alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, as crews reconstruct Avalon Boulevard.
· U.S. 90 Striping Operations at the Intersection of S.R. 87- Drivers are reminded to watch for heavy equipment and workers at the intersection of U.S. 90 and S.R. 87 from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, April 2 and Tuesday, April 3 as crews perform striping operations.
· S.R. 89 Striping Operations near Commerce Street- Traffic can expect lane restrictions from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, April 2 near the intersection of Commerce Street as crews remove and replace striping. Traffic flaggers will be on site to assist with traffic control.
· S.R. 89N Median Landscaping- Drivers can expect intermittent lane closures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Friday, April 13 as crews perform median landscape enhancements.
· U.S. 90 Safety Project at West Florida Baptist Academy- Activities are scheduled to begin in April to construct an eastbound, left turn lane in front of West Florida Baptist Academy in Milton. Drives can expect intermittent lane restrictions, however, there will be no lane closures between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.
· S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Traffic between County Road 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is complete.
· I-10 Pavement Testing from east of Avalon Boulevard to east of S.R. 87- There will be intermittent east and westbound lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, April 9 through Thursday, April 13 as crews take core samples of the roadway to perform pavement testing.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled 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
April 2, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of April 2-6:
Monday, April 2
Selection Committee Interviews – Medical Director – 1 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Fourth Floor Training Room
Tuesday, April 3
Planning Board – Rezoning - 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Planning Board – Regular – 8:35 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Wednesday, April 4
FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance Public Meeting – 8:30 a.m., 321 N. De Villiers St.
Selection Committee Interviews – Fire Chief – 8:30 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Fourth Floor Training Room
Contractor Competency Board – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Thursday, April 5
Escambia County Transit Special District Meeting – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
BCC Agenda Review Session – 9:15 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
BCC Public Fourm – 4:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
BCC Regular Meeting – 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Woman Uninjured In Crash With Deer In Walnut Hill
April 2, 2018
A local woman escaped serious injury when she hit a deer in her Nissan Altima Sunday night in Walnut Hill. The woman was evaluated on scene by Escambia County EMS but refused transport to the hospital.
The accident occurred about 8:25 p.m. on Highway 99A, about a mile east of Highway 97. The vehicle’s airbags deployed in the crash. The deer did not survive.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Improvement Committee Members Serve Breakfast At Ronald McDonald House
April 2, 2018
Members of the Cantonment Improvement Committee recently served breakfast to the residents of the Ronald McDonald House in Pensacola. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Worshipers Gather For Easter Sunrise Services
April 1, 2018
Worshipers gathered for sunrise services across Escambia County on Easter Sunday morning. Pictured above, inset and bottom are the Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Community Sonrise Service at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The first photo below is from the Molino Community Sunrise Service at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, followed by two photos from the Sunrise Service at Enon Baptist Church. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Injured In Century Highway 29 Crash
April 1, 2018
Two people were injured in a two vehicle crash Saturday afternoon in Century.
The wreck occurred at the intersection of North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) and East Highway 4 about 3:35. Both of the injured were transported to area hospitals by Escambia County EMS.
Further details were not available as the Florida Highway Patrol continued their investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Five Reported Injured In Cantonment Highway 29 Crash
April 1, 2018
Five people, including four minors, were reported to be injured in a two vehicle wreck in Cantonment Saturday afternoon.
The accident happened about 2:25 p.m. on Highway 29 in the area of Power Boulevard, south of Quintette Road.
Further details have not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol as they continued their investigation.
File photo.
Firefighters Respond To Structure Fire Call In Molino
April 1, 2018
Firefighters responded to a reported structure fire in garage in the area of Fairground Road and Brickyard Road Saturday about 7:15 p.m. No major damage was reported. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Pace Man Killed In Boat Crash With Atmore Man
April 1, 2018
A Pace resident was killed Saturday when his boat collided with a boat operated by an Atmore man near Stockton, AL.
A bass boat operated by Wesley Scott Feely of Atmore collided with the driver’s side of a bass boat operated by Jackie Dewayne Cox of Pace, according to Alabama State Troopers.
The occupants of both boats were ejected into the water but were wearing personal flotation devices. Several boaters who heard the boat crash rushed to assist the victims. Several boaters who heard the boat crash rushed to assist the victims. They pulled Mr. Cox and his passenger, Lee Grandquest, of Semmes from the water, rendered first-aid and stopped one of the boats that was still circling without an operator. Acting Baldwin County EMA Director Jessie Peacock and his son Hayden were also fishing nearby and helped provide treatment and coordinated with Crossroads VFD and a Medstar EMS crew to guide them to the scene.
Cox was pronounced deceased at the scene. Grandquest was flown to USA Medical Center in Mobile, where. Feely was treated at North Baldwin Infirmary and released.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation by the Marine Patrol Division of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
File photo.
Rubio: No Sure Bet That Year Round Daylight Saving Time Will Pass Senate
April 1, 2018
“I don’t think there’s any wrong or right answer, this is not a moral question,” the Miami-Dade Republican said Tuesday while meeting with reporters in Tallahassee. “Basically, it’s if you want it to get darker later or earlier. And it depends who you are. If your (children) are young, you don’t want them in the dark at the bus stop. If you like to play outdoors or go fishing in the morning, while it’s still dark, you’re in favor.”
Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation (HB 1013) last week aimed at putting Florida on year-round daylight-saving time, but such a change requires congressional approval.
Rubio submitted a pair of bills (S. 2537 and S. 2536) this month — one would keep Florida on daylight-saving time, while the other would make such a change for the nation. He said he was reflecting the will of state legislators.
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., filed the House companion bills (H.R. 5279 and H.R. 5278).
“No matter what we do, I wish we were on one time the whole year,” Rubio added. “That would make it a lot easier.”
The idea of year-round daylight-saving time has been promoted as a way to help Florida’s tourism industry, as people would be able to stay out later with the additional sunlight. Hawaii and most of Arizona don’t participate in switching from standard time to daylight-saving time and back. They stay on standard time throughout the year.
Daylight-saving time this year started March 11 and ends Nov. 4.
A news release from Rubio’s office when he filed his bills pointed to several potential benefits from the change, including that additional daylight in evenings could reduce car crashes, help lead to more physical activity that would reduce childhood obesity and reduce the number of robberies.
But the Florida PTA Legislative Committee has opposed the change due to the potential impact on students, who could be waiting more at dark bus stops in the morning.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday noted it has received numerous inquiries regarding the legislation and sent out an explainer to members.
As part of a summary, the chamber said, “Here’s the key takeaway: despite all the rhetoric, changes are not imminent and are, in fact, very unlikely to occur anytime soon.”