I-10, Nine Mile Road Interchange Construction Will Not Include Diverging Diamond
March 7, 2024
Construction is beginning on a $55 million Florida Department of Transportation improvement project on I-10 at the Nine Mile Road interchange (Exit 5), but the exit will not be a diverging diamond.
In 2020, FDOT proposed a diverging diamond interchange for the Nine Mile Road Exit and held a public development and study meeting.
However, plants for the current improvement project do not show a diverging diamond traffic pattern.
Planned improvements include replacing the existing I-10 overpass at Nine Mile Road to increase vertical clearance and to accommodate future improvements. The project will enhance traffic safety and mobility for the 62,000 drivers who travel the interchange daily.
The project is expected to be completed by mid-2028.
Road Construction/Lane Closures
During construction, the speed limit on I-10 will be lowered to 60 mph and 35 mph on Nine Mile Road. Lane closures on I-10 will be permitted Sunday through Thursday nights from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., and lane closures on Nine Mile Road will be permitted between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. seven days a week.
Drivers will encounter lane closures and traffic pacing operations on I-10 near Nine Mile Road through Thursday, March 7 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. as crews perform striping and barrier wall work. Vehicle pacing operations, also known as “rolling roadblocks,” are used to create gaps in traffic so that short-duration construction activities can be completed. In addition, traffic on I-10 will be temporarily shifted to the outside (right) beginning Sunday, March 3 so crews can begin bridge construction work. The shift will be in place until spring 2025.
What Is A Diverging Diamond Interchange?
According to the Federal Highway Administration, a diverging diamond interchange is a simple design innovation that improves safety and mobility, often at a much lower cost, compared to conventional interchange designs. The key to what makes a DDI work so well is how left turns are handled.
The DDI resembles a conventional diamond interchange, which is the most common form in the United States. Drivers make right turns at a DDI just as they would at a regular diamond interchange.
The crossover intersections are what make DDIs different, and they are meant to be intuitive for the driver. The crossovers gently transition – or diverge – traffic from the right side of the road to the left side of the road and then back again. Because traffic is on the left hand side between the crossovers, all left turns occur without having to cross opposing traffic. The road geometry, signs, and pavement markings all work together to make this very simple. In cities where DDIs have been built, drivers say they don’t even notice the crossover intersections. according to the Federal Highway Administration.
Primary Sample Ballots Mailed To Barrineau Park Voters Had The Wrong Polling Place Address
March 6, 2024
Presidential Preference Primary Election sample ballots mailed to voters in the Barrineau Park area were printed with the wrong physical address for their polling place.
A NorthEscambia.com reader let us know that their sample ballot for Barrineau Park’s Precinct 19 showed their polling place to be at 5805 Beulah Church Road, which is the First Baptist Church of Beulah.
Precinct 19 is actually located at the Barrineau Park Community Center at 6055 Barrineau Park School in Molino.
“We have confirmed the error,” Escambia County Chief Deputy Supervisor of Elections Sonya Daniel said in an email after being contacted by NorthEscambia.com. “The QR code is correct, but the address is not. We are in the process of making the correction and we will be resending all of the precinct 19 voters a new sample ballot. We sincerely apologize and are working quickly to correct it.”
Florida is a closed primary state. The 2024 Presidential Preference Primary is for Republican voters only.
Pictured: A sample Escambia County Presidential Preference Primary ballot. NorthEscambia.com image.
Man Charged With New Year’s Day Fatal Crash Near Flora-Bama
March 6, 2024
A 23-year old man from Daphne, Alabama, has been charged with a fatal DUI crash New Year’s Day near the Flora-Bama on Perdido Key.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Caleb Jonathan Scottt was eastbound on Perdido Key Drive at about 12:15 a.m. when the crash occurred.
“The investigation revealed the Ford Bronco traveling at a high rate of speed thru the crowds gathered in the area celebrating the new year, ” FHP said. “During that time, the Ford Bronco traveled over a speed bump, became airborne, and struck a light pole on the northern shoulder of the roadway. The Ford Bronco that was driven by Caleb Jonathan Scott became engulfed in flames. As a result of the crash, a family member was sadly killed during the crash and another occupant was seriously injured.”
One of Scott’s family members, a 56-year old Bay Minette man died in the crash. Another passenger, a 23-year-old man from Gulf Shores, was seriously injured..
Scott was charged with vehicular homicide, DUI manslaughter, reckless driving causing serious bodily injury, and DUE causing serious bodily injury. Scott was arrested in Baldwin County extradited to Escambia County, Florida, where he was being held on a $130,000 bond.
Century Council Votes To Close Street For Midget Wrestling At Local Bar
March 6, 2024
The Century Town Council voted Tuesday night to close a town street for a local bar’s midget wrestling event.
The vote was 4-0 with council president Dynette Lewis absent to close Ivey Street from 3-11:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 23.
Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. only told the council that Odom’s Bar made the request to close the street, but he never told the council the nature of the event before their vote.
According to online event posts by the bar and the promoter, Odom’s will host midget wrestling the night of March 23.
The town will charge Odom’s for the overtime call out pay of an employee twice — once to close the street and a second time to remove the barricades. For each callout, the bar will reimburse the town for a two hour minimum for the employee.
NorthEscambia.com graphic/file photo.
Cantonment Rotary Complete Water Safety Book Project Reaching 1,070 Elementary Students
March 6, 2024
The Cantonment Rotary Club recently completed its “Josh the Baby Otter” book project by reading the book to McArthur Elementary kindergarten students.
Club members have read to 1,070 students at 10 North Escambia area elementary schools since the project began last November.
The book “Josh The Baby Otter” teaches kids about water safety and about learning how to float.
“The Cantonment Rotary Club takes great pride in partnering with the local schools to help the kids understand the importance of water safety,” the club said. “The kids were very excited and each received a copy of the book along with a coloring book and stickers.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sponsors Needed For March 22 Tate Softball Strike Out Cancer Game
March 6, 2024
Tate Aggie softball’s annual Strike Out Cancer Game is coming up on March 22, and sponsors are needed now.
The Lady Aggies will host the West Florida Jaguars at 5 p.m. for junior varsity and 6 p.m. on varsity..
Full concessions, fish dinners, egg rolls will be available for purchase. All gate fees, concessions and donations will benefit the local chapter of the American Cancer Society.
Last year, the Lady Aggies presented a $27,755 donation to the American Cancer Society.
For a sponsorship form and more informaiton, click here.
Pictured top: The Tate Lady Aggies Softball team presented their annual Strike Out Cancer donation last year. Pictured below: The Strike Out Cancer game March 31, 2023 at Tate High School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECSO Has Solved 1998 Cold Case Murder. Here’s How They Did It.
March 6, 2024
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has solved the 1998 cold case murder of a man in a Winn Dixie parking lot.
Sheriff Chip Simmons announced Tuesday that Donald Holmes II will be charged for the murder.
Holmes, 44, is currently serving a 20 year sentence in a Florida State prison for a 2012 Escambia County home invasion robbery. He had been set for release in 2032.
Steven Davis was in his Yellow Cab (pictured below) leaving the parking lot of the Winn Dixie on Navy Boulevard about 4 a.m. on August 26, 1998, when he shot. He got out of his cab, collapsed in the parking lot and died.
Davis’ cab was later recovered near Navy Boulevard with an open driver’s door and rear passenger doors. The driver’s window was shattered.
New forensic technology was used to examine a bloody fingerprint (pictured below) found at the scene, Simons said Tuesday, leading to the identification of Holmes as the suspect.
“We knew the blood was Steven’s blood, but we couldn’t get the detail we needed from this particular fingerprint, but we tried,” Simmons said. “We tried not once, not twice, but three different times…because we weren’t able to get the details needed to form an adequate identification.”
“We tried one more time with some new training, but also new technology,” Sheriff Simmons added. “…That print put us at this individual right here.”
Photos courtesy Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Girl, Age 6, Dies After Being Hit By Vehicle In Parking Lot Of Pensacola Park
March 5, 2024
A 6-year old girl was killed Tuesday evening when she was struck by a vehicle in the parking lot of Pensacola park.
The child was struck about 5:22 p.m.at Hitzman-Optimist Park on Langley Avenue.
The Pensacola Police Department said the girl was taken by private vehicle to Sacred Heart Hospital where she was pronounced deceased.
“There will be no charges in this fatal incident. It was determined to be accidental,” PPD spokesman Mike Wood said.
Additional information was not released as the investigation continued.
File photo.
Escaped Inmate Captured, And He Didn’t Get Very Far
March 5, 2024
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has captured a state inmate that escaped from custody last week, and he didn’t get far.
Florida Department of Corrections inmate Korey Robert Culver, 32, escaped from the Pensacola Community Release Center facility on L Street about 3:48 a.m. Wednesday, February 28.
He was arrested Tuesday afternoon just a few hundred feet from the work release where he initially escaped, the Sheriff’s Office said.
He was wanted for battery on a law enforcement officer and escaping.
FDC records show Culver was serving a year sentence out of Okaloosa County for robbery.
Following Manhunt, Century Man Charged With Fleeing From Deputies
March 5, 2024
Following a manhunt, a Century man is charged with fleeing from deputies during a traffic stop.
Cody Edward Comalander, 24, was charged with knowingly operating a vehicle without a license and two counts of resisting arrest without violence.
While stationary in the area of Old Flomaton Road and Cottage Street in Century, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy reported observing a Honda Pilot northbound with a car hauler with no tag or working lights or brake lights. Deputies were unable to catch up with the vehicle before it turned into an address on Cottage Street. The door opened, and Comalander allegedly ran into the woods, according to an arrest report. Two deputies recognized Comalander based upon previous interactions.
Comalander had active warrants with the Escambia County Sheriff’s offices in both Florida and Alabama and is known to flee from law enforcement, the report states.
A Flomaton Police Department K-9 unit responded as a perimeter was established. A Flomaton officer reportd that he observed Comalander on Old Flomaton Road, but he continued to ignore commands and flee on foot. Deputies were ultimately unable to locate him and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Comalander was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $26,000 bond.