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Alabama Paving Route Across Perdido River; Florida Side To Stay Dirt
August 29, 2010
The Alabama side of one of the few Perdido River crossings is being paved, but the Escambia County side will remain dirt — because it is not a public road.
Baldwin County Alabama is currently working to pave the 2.8 miles of the dirt Duck Place Road from the Perdido River to Highway 112. The Florida side stretches from the river to the intersection of South Highway 99 and Highway 196 in the Barrineau Park community.
It is the only east-west route across the Perdido River between Muscogee Road in Cantonment and Highway 31 in Escambia County, Ala. The road is often used by farmers and ranchers as they transport goods to market from North Escambia to Robertsdale, Ala. The dirt road on the Alabama side is often too muddy and rutted for passenger cars, but it is also a shortcut route for many families to activities and shopping in Baldwin County.
Escambia County owns the bridge across the Perdido River, according to District 5 Commissioner Kevin White. But the county-maintained dirt road on the Florida side is privately owned by the Barrineau Estate. It is only about four-tenths of a mile long.
“We don’t have the right of way to pave it,” White said. “I wish we could.”
As one of the few river crossings, White said the road could also serve as an emergency evacuation route if it were paved.
Baldwin County plans to complete their paving in three or four months, according to Paula Tillman, the county’s public information coordinator. She said Baldwin County voted to pave the road to eliminate erosion problems and improve transportation within the county.
Last summer, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department threatened to close their side of the bridge due to drugs, alcohol and fights as large groups would gather at the river.
Pictured top: Baldwin County works to pave Duck Place Road, just across the Perdido River from Escambia County. Pictured inset: The dirt road leading to Escambia County’s bridge across the river is privately owned. Pictured below: This map shows the location of Duck Place Road.
Comments
24 Responses to “Alabama Paving Route Across Perdido River; Florida Side To Stay Dirt”
I am 55 and have lived in Barrineau Park in the home i was born in all my years. The Florida side was only closed due to all the trouble. With the way the world is now and all the deputies in our community, if someone were to ask the Barrineaus, im sure they would not only let the road be paved but let families barbeque and camp there the way we used to. The deputies can keep the trouble away. Yet so could everyone else. Just dont allow it. As a youngster i have helped shed many a log jam from that old wooden bridge. The only problem would be trash. There are those who leave trash, those who take their trash with them,and those who pick-up other peoples trash. We’ll see how Fillingims works out first though.
Get the S.O. to patrol it?????? You gotta be kiddin……They won’t patrol existing paved roads . Unless it’s election time.
So glad to see this project underway. We use that road all the time. Too bad they can’t get the Fl. side paved. Maybe they should try to negotiate something with the Barrineau estate. Who knows, they may be able to work something out.
Best news i’ve heard since Dollar General.
We need another alcohol free park on the Alabama and Florida side like the park just south of this location on the Florida side is. With the oil spill problem the Florida park is always fuul. Thank you Baldwin County.
Excellent. Next, put a park with a public boat ramp on the Alabama side.
Eminent Domain it & then pave it & then have Escambia County deputies patrol it.
Glad this is happening—-long overdue. I can deal with a short portion not being paved to use this shortcut to Mobile and surrounding areas.
I’d love to see an alcohol free park built there. Something like the poarch creeks have at magnolia springs would be tremendous. Charge enough to keep the riff raff out and it will be family friendly.
yep, sad when they beat Auburn too
I wonder what would happen if the Barrineau Estate just closed their portion of the road since it is privately owned and they can I guess. Would all this paving be for nothing?
Notice how when a law enforcement issue is published on here Mr Morgan almost always comes on to clarify any problems, but never have I seen our district 5 commish come on to add his 2 cents or even to clear up an issue such as here where folks are wondering why a private road is being maintained with county tax dollars. I dont think I’ll be voting incumbant next time.
This road is also used alot by mine and other faimlys to go to baldwin county.It saves a ton of time and gas.
I have lived in barrineau park for almost my entire life, the river at that spot has always had problems from drinking , fighting , shooting , to people leaving there trash and pets there. I can see why the Barrineau faimly doesnt want anyone hanging out there. It used to be a very beautiful spot . Now that fillingjims landing is open i imagine it wont be long before it has some of the same problems, although the state owns and patrols it .A park at barrineau would be a great idea, charge for parking , leave the booze at home . If you build it they will come.
If the county doesn’t have right-of-way why do they maintain the road??
Not a public road but the county is grading it….then I live down a privately owned road that you (Kevin White) keeps telling me you can put any “county equipment” on it…8 houses down the road, US mail, garabage, etc. How can you justify maintaining one road that is private and not another. And don’t tell me it is a thru fare cause mine is too, privately owner but the easement and rights for everyone to use it. Seems like we can pick and choose….just asking?
Two Words…………………. ROLL TIDE!
Hey David, do you follow college football?
I didn’t know the county could maintain a private road… ???
I live very close to the river & raised my kids on it. Was sad to hear it when the Escambia county side was closed. there is no room to park on the Alabama side..so I’m glad that side is being paved..maybe making room to park. I wish the Barrineau’s would reopen the escambia side & have it for families & no drinking & have it patroled by Escambia county’s Sherriff’s office. Just a thought.
Looks like a good case for Escambia to resort to eminant domain and take the needed right of way.
Sorry David- We have always been ahead of you and always will!!
thank you baldwin county. i think escambia county should do what ever it takes to get the right of way they need to pave the florida side. the barrineau estate may be willing to give or sell what is needed to get it done.i can’t see why they wouldn’t, after all the county has maintained this road for as long as anyone can remember and has spent lots of money to build a new bridge. lets find a way to get it done.
bad when Alabama’s ahead of you