Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Problem Spots
March 10, 2025
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.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) McGuire’s St. Patrick Day 5K Run, Downtown Pensacola – Motorists will encounter a road closure on Gregory Street, Garden Street, and Bayfront Parkway Saturday, March 8 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. for the St. Patrick Day Run.
- U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to east of 14th Avenue – Drivers on Gregory Street, from North Palafox Street to 14th Avenue, will encounter alternating, intermittent lane closures Sunday, March 9 through Thursday, March 13, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for milling and paving operations.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 6) – The week of Sunday, March 9, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on North Palafox Street, from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., as crews place thermoplastic striping and perform traffic signalization work.
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signs are in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- North Palafox Street, between Hope Drive and Whitehead Drive, will have intermittent daytime lane closures. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- I-10 between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- A new temporary on-ramp for U.S. 29 southbound drivers accessing I-10 eastbound is now open. Detouring traffic to the temporary ramp will allow crews to continue work to reconstruct the I-10/U.S. 29 interchange.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line – Drivers on North Century Boulevard, between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line, may encounter intermittent lane closures for paving operations. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers on U.S. 90 in Santa Rosa County may encounter intermittent lane closures over the Simpson River Bridge, Sunday, March 9 through Thursday, March 13 between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. as crews perform bridge construction work. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, March 9, through Friday, March 14, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
AAA: Oil Prices Decline While Gas Prices Hold Steady
March 10, 2025
Florida gas prices remain within the same 20 cent range they’ve moved within for the past five months, according to AAA. On Sunday, the state average was $3.09 per gallon. Although the state average rose 10 cents last week, it came back down almost the same amount, finishing the week only 1-cent higher than the week before.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.81, one of the lowest metro areas in the state. In Cantonment, a low of $2.67 could be found at two stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment. In Pensacola Sunday night, the low price was $2.55 on West Nine Mile Road.
“For months, oil prices avoided significant swings, which also prevented gas prices from doing the same,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, bearish sentiment crept into the market, last week. Economic uncertainty and the potential for increased production from OPEC helped push oil prices to lows not seen since November. It’s unclear if this will have an effect on gas prices. Interestingly enough, the price of gasoline futures increased last week, likely because refineries are beginning to produce summer blend gasoline and spring break travel is causing higher demand for fuel.”
Boil Water Notice Issued For Guidy Lane Area
March 9, 2025
UPDATE- This boil water notice was lifted the morning of March 11.
Due to a broken 6-inch water main that was damaged by tree roots, ECUA has issued a precautionary boil water notice for the Guidy Lane and the surrounding area.
Specifically, the boil water notice includes:
- Guidy Ln. (Address Range: 9541 – 9761
- Aurelias Pl. (Address Range: 879 – 956)
- Sunshine Ln. (Address Range: 933 – 1095)
- Honey Trl.
- Dons. Ln.
Residents located in the specified boil water notice area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes. Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible. This process routinely takes 48 hours and the notice will be rescinded at that time.
ECUA crews have completed the repairs and flushed out the lines. Residents within the area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the utility work, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480 for assistance.
Precautionary boil water notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Florida Senators Push For Year-Round Daylight Saving Time
March 9, 2025
As dayling savings time started Sunday, both of Florida’s senators are pushing for it to be year-round.
Senators Ashley Moody and Rick Scott have announced their bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act, to officially “lock the clock” and end the twice-yearly time change and make daylight saving time the national year-round standard.
“As a baseball mom, I enthusiastically support an extra hour of sunlight,” Moody said. “Why miss out on daylight when we could be outside with our families enjoying all that Florida has to offer? This legislation also has long-term benefits that help our farmers, support healthier families and safer neighborhoods, all while growing the economy. I am proud to join my colleagues to support the Sunshine Protection Act. It is time to end the twice-yearly change for good and lock the clock.”
“I hear from Americans constantly that they are sick and tired of changing their clocks twice a year – it’s an unnecessary, decades-old practice that’s more of an annoyance to families than benefit to them,” Scott said. “In 2018, as Governor of Florida, I signed legislation that would allow the state to opt out of the practice of changing the time and I’ve been a leading effort in getting this done on the federal level. I’m excited to have President Trump back in the White House and fully on board to lock the clock so we can get this good bill passed and make this common-sense change that will simplify and benefit the lives of American families.”
Moody and Scott were joined by Senators Patty Murray, Tommy Tuberville, Rand Paul, Ron Wyden, Bill Hagerty, Cynthia Lummis, Ed Markey, Sheldon Whitehouse, James Lankford, Martin Heinrich, Alex Padilla, Brian Schatz, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Tina Smith, Katie Britt and Marsha Blackburn.
Play Ball! Saturday Was Opening Day For A Growing Century Blackcats Ball Program
March 9, 2025
Saturday was opening day for the spring ball season at several local ballparks including NEP, Century Baseball Association at Showalter Park and the Molino Ballpark.
Due to a threat of rain, opening ceremonies were canceled at Molino and moved to an earlier time in Century.
Organizers say they are excited about the growth of the Century Blackcats program at Showalter Park.
“We’ve almost reached capacity to still have a place to practice,” David Burkett, Century Baseball Association president, said.
He said there are 198 players on 16 teams this year at Showalter.
“It’s exciting,” Burkett said. “It’s the most players this park has seen in a longtime.”
Saturday, the Blackcats hosted teams from Jay and Gospel Projects.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Driving Tests Available During Spring Break In Escambia County
March 9, 2025
First-time drivers in Escambia County can take advantage of special spring break driving test appointments from March 17-21 at the Escambia County Tax Collector Warrington Office. The appointments are available exclusively for Escambia County residents taking their first driving test.
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office encourages eligible drivers to secure their slots early by booking online at EscambiaTaxCollector.com.
ECAT Launches New Microtransit Pilot Program
March 9, 2025
Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) is launching a new microtransit pilot program called FlexTransit. FlexTransit will provide service to currently underserved and unserved residents, using smaller ADA-compliant vehicles in expanded service areas.
FlexTransit’s soft launch is scheduled for Tuesday, April 1, initially serving existing ECAT paratransit customers before fully launching to the public in fall 2025. Once fully implemented, riders will have access to FlexTransit services that will combine and work with ECAT’s fixed route to most efficiently get them to their destination.
This program is not intended to replace paratransit services; however, the Microtransit Pilot Program will reduce the need for paratransit services by bridging gaps and connecting riders with the fixed route services during regular fixed route service hours.
Once fully operational, the Microtransit Pilot Program will be available to all county riders and will not be restricted by paratransit eligibility requirements.
Service must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance and no more than 7 days in advance, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. by calling 850-471-6657. Riders also have the ability to schedule trips through the FlexTransit Application or online portal as well as leaving a voicemail for the reservationists.
The average contractual cost for a one-way trip using the Transportation Disadvantaged Program in fiscal year 2023-2024 was $42.44, making ECAT’s fixed-route bus service a much more cost-effective option for Escambia County. Individuals who are able to use the service pay a fare of $3.50 (ADA) or $2.50 (TD), each trip.
FHP Identified Pedestrian Killed By Tractor Trailer As Flomaton Man
March 9, 2025
The Florida Highway Patrol has identified a pedestrian struck and killed by a tractor trailer last Wednesday as a 42-year-old Flomaton man.
FHP said 57-year-old Palm Coast man was traveling east on Highway 98 approaching Skyhawk Drive when his truck struck a man walking in the middle of the roadway just after 9 p.m.. Troopers said he was unable to see the pedestrian.
FHP has not released the man’s name or said why he was walking in the road.
The tractor trailer driver was not injured.
Over 850 Explore A Night of Nature In Cantonment
March 9, 2025
Over 850 people attended the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center “Night of Nature” Friday night in Cantonment.
The free, family-friendly event offered a chance to explore the wonders of the natural world after dark.
Attendees were able to enjoy live birds of prey, night hikes through the woods, stargazing with telescopes, and meeting nocturnal creatures.
Roy Hyatt Environmental Center, located at 1300 Tobias Road in Cantonment, is an Escambia County Public Schools facility. It first opened to students in 1968.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Westgate’s Very Special Mardi Gras Parade (With Photo Gallery)
March 8, 2025
Let the good times roll!
The annual Mardi Gras parade was held Friday morning at Escambia Westgate School — a very special parade for the school’s special needs students.
With plenty of beads, trinkets and smiles, the parade rolled through the school parking lot for students with sensory issues that might not otherwise be able to attend a regular Mardi Gras parade.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
