Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Spots To Watch
May 1, 2022
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:
- Nine Mile Road, from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – Work will begin on a $7.2 million construction project the week of Monday, May 2 to improve safety on a 2.3-mile portion of East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90 ALT.), between Chemstrand Road to east of Baldridge Drive. Improvements include widening the turn lanes to include five-foot bicycle lanes in each direction, traffic signal upgrades, guardrail, pavement markings, and sidewalk enhancements, drainage improvements, and milling and resurfacing all turn lanes and bicycle lanes. During construction, motorists and bicyclists can expect lane closures and traffic shifts. Lane closures will be permitted from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. seven days a week. Pedestrian detours will be in place while sidewalk improvements are underway. The project is estimated for completion in summer 2023.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, May 1 through Saturday, May 7. On Tuesday, May 3, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Motorists traveling on West Cervantes Street, between B and Q Streets, will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Single lane closures and shifts as crews perform median improvements, signalization installation, construct curb and gutter, sidewalks, utility adjustments and paving work.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the southbound side of the bridge as crews construct the northbound portion. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, May 2 through Friday, May 6, as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, May 2 as crews place a watermain.
- Airport Boulevard (S.R. 750) Routine Maintenance from West of Palafox Street to Davis Highway – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures from west of Palafox Street to Davis Highway from 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. the week of Monday, May 2 as crews place asphalt on the roadway.
- Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) from Manchester Street to the Bayou Chico Bridge –The sidewalks on the northern side of Barrancas Avenue, between Manchester Avenue and Pace Boulevard, will be closed as crews work on sidewalk improvements. Detours will be in place for pedestrians in these areas.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Pavement Markings at the Pensacola Weigh Station – Crews will perform striping operations at the eastbound weigh station the week of Monday, May 2. During these operations the eastbound station and adjacent truck parking area will be temporarily closed.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane to north of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 1 through Thursday, May 5 as crews work on sidewalk and curb improvements.
- Michigan Avenue (S.R. 296) Routine Utility Maintenance from Nashville Avenue to Jaker Lane – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 3 as crews work on overhead utility lines.
- Brent Lane (S.R. 296) Routine Maintenance near I-110 Northbound on Ramp – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 1 and Sunday, May 8 as crews perform paving operations.
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Routine Maintenance near 8 Mile Creek Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, May 2 through Wednesday, May 4 as crews perform tree trimming operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, May 1 through Saturday, May 7. On Tuesday, May 3, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists traveling westbound will encounter intermittent lane and median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Sunday, May 1 through Friday, May 6, while crews perform median work. In addition, westbound travelers will encounter a new traffic configuration from Autumn Breeze Circle to Bayshore Road, beginning May 1, lanes will be shifted slightly south to allow for crews to perform widening activities on the outside lane.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures and lane closures from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. the week of Monday, May 2 as crews perform construction activities.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Bluff Springs, Cotton Lake and Williams Lake Recreation Sites Have Reopened
May 1, 2022
The Northwest Florida Water Management District reopened three recreation sites in the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area that had been closed due to flooding.
The Bluff Springs, Cotton Lake and Williams Lake sites are now open.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa Single Motorcycle Crash Claims One Life
May 1, 2022
A single motorcycle crash claimed a life Saturday in Santa Rosa County.
A 72-year old Jamestown, Tennessee, man was on his motorcycle traveling east on Nichols Lake Road when he attempted to make a left turn onto Farm Life Road. The rider lost control, and the motorcycle left the roadway before overturning.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
Molino Dirt Road Divas Win GCGSA 8U Mid-Season Tournament
May 1, 2022
The Molino Dirt Road Divas won the GCGSA 8U Mid-Season Tournament on Saturday.
Paycen Cutler was named the Tournament MVP.
Pictured: The Molino Dirt Road Divas, (front, L-R) Lily Gray, Kingsley Alvare, Caroline Peters, Kinsley Worley, Hadley Cook, Paycen Cutler, Skylar Dupree, June Kilgore, (back) Haley Miller and Hadley Weaver. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Walters Double Medals As Tate Weightlifters Compete At State
May 1, 2022
Members of the Tate High School weightlifting team recently competed in the state championship.
Kevin Walters medaled in traditional with a 4th place finish. Walters also medaled in snatch with a 5th place finish.
Conner Engle finished 18th in snatch, Lyle Jackson was 12th in traditional, and Ethan Harper finish 8th in traditional.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Johnston Homers In Wahoos 9-1 Loss To Shuckers
May 1, 2022
Troy Johnston hit his first Double-A home run, but the Pensacola Blue Wahoos suffered their most lopsided loss of the season on Saturday night with a 9-1 defeat to the Biloxi Shuckers.
The game was within reach until Biloxi scored six runs in the sixth inning, turning a 3-1 game into a 9-1 affair. Pensacola ends the month of April with a 8-12 record, and will need to win Sunday’s finale to secure a series split against the Shuckers.
Johnston went to the opposite field for his first home run of the season, putting the Blue Wahoos ahead 1-0 in the second against starter Carlos Luna. Zach McCambley (L, 0-2) allowed an unearned run in the third on an infield error and a sacrifice fly, then served up a two-run homer to Cam Devanney in the fifth inning to put the Shuckers ahead 3-1.
Robbie Hitt (W, 1-1) allowed the Blue Wahoos to load the bases with one out in the top of the sixth, but Matt Hardy came in to escape the jam and preserve the Biloxi lead. The Shuckers roughed up Jefry Yan in the bottom of the inning, scoring six runs, four earned, to break the game open. A Devanney RBI single and Joey Wiemer two-run double highlighted the inning for Biloxi.
Parker Bugg and Dylan Bice pitched the rest of the way for the Blue Wahoos, with Bice making his 2022 debut after beginning the season on the injured list. Griffin Conine had three singles and a walk in a 3-for-3 night.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Biloxi Shuckers on Sunday afternoon.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Semi Truck Hauling Nitric Acid Burns In Century; Prompts Evacuations (With Gallery)
April 30, 2022
A tanker truck hauling nitric acid burned this morning in Century, prompting an evacuation of the surrounding area.
The truck burned upon the canopy of the closed Panhandle gas station at the corner of Highway 29 and East Highway 4.
The cab of the truck was destroyed, but the tank of nitric acid was not compromised. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire and keep the tank cooled.
There was damage to the gas station canopy from the fire.
Surrounding businesses were evacuated, and both Highway 29 and Highway 4 were closed closed. The Panhandle Restaurant, Marathon station and Whataburger were evacuated. Other businesses in the area were not open at the time, and there were no residences in the evacuation zone.
Train traffic was also halted temporarily; CSX’s line through Century was just feet away.
The driver, who was able to escape without injury, told authorities that he was southbound on Highway 29 when the turbo locked on his diesel engine. He was able to turn east on Highway 4 and pulled into the gas station lot before the truck stopped.
An Escambia County Fire Rescue Hazmat team; the Century, McDavid Walnut Hill, Molino, Cantonment and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue; Flomaton Fire Department; Jay Fire Department, Escambia County EMS; and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Top photo courtesy Joley Griffis for NorthEscambia.com.
Ashley Slade Named Byrneville Elementary Teacher Of The Year
April 30, 2022
Ashley Slade has been named Byrneville Elementary School Teach of the Year.
Slade, described as a “rock star kindergarten teacher” with “one of the biggest hearts”, was surprised with the news on Friday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fowler Avenue Now ‘No Trucks’, Speed Limit Lowered On Barrineau Lane, No Parking On Woodbridge, Pinebrake
April 30, 2022
The Escambia County Commission recently implemented several new traffic restrictions.
The speed limit on Barrineau Lane was lowered from 35 to 25 mph.
Fowler Avenue was restricted as “no trucks” with a weight limit of 10,500 pounds from West Nine Mile Road to West Nine and One Half Mile Road. “No truck” signs were previously placed in the area, but the commission’s recently action officially set the weight limit on the record.
“No truck” restrictions with a weight limit of 10,500 pounds were also established on Sun Valley Drive from Michigan Avenue to Rainbow Avenue, on Pipeline Road from Michigan Avenue to Rainbow Avenue, and on Pipeline Road from Rainbow Avenue to Commerce Park Circle
No parking zones were established on the right of way of Woodbridge Drive and Pinebrake Lane off University Parkway.
Tate Ends Regular Season With Win Over Gulf Breeze; Playoffs Begin Monday
April 30, 2022
The Tate Lady Aggies defeated Gulf Breeze 4-2 Friday evening.
Jordan Smith went seven innings for Tate, allowing two runs and 10 hits while striking out four.
Sophia Jones, Courtney Lundquist, Kara Wine, Lacy Wilson and Michayla Kent each had one hit for the Lady Aggies.
The No. 4 Lady Aggies (11-13, 3-4) will host No. 5 Crestview (7-16, 0-8) at 6 p.m. Monday as the 1-6A playoffs begin.