Plans Underway To Pave Popular Route Across Perdido River To Alabama

March 7, 2013

Plans are underway to pave Escambia County’s side of a popular route across the Perdido River to Alabama.

Two years ago, Baldwin County paved 2.8 miles of Barrineau Park Road (also known as Duck Place Road) from the Perdido River to Highway 112. But the Florida side, from the river to the intersection of South Highway 99 and Highway 196 in the Barrineau Park community — remained dirt.

Escambia County owns the bridge across the Perdido River. But the county-maintained the dirt road on the Florida side is privately owned by the Barrineau Estate. It is only about four-tenths of a mile long, but the county had no right to pave it.

In late February, Escambia County met with a representative of the estate to discuss the needed right of way and received a positive response. After completing a design draft, the county will move forward will selecting a design engineer.

The project will include the design and construction of 11-foot lanes with paved shoulder constructed on a 66-foot right of way.

The route 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.  It is also a shortcut route for many families to activities and shopping in Baldwin County.

Baldwin County identified the road as one of the county’s most environmentally damaging roads and funded the work with a 2007-2008 Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) grant funds to eliminate or reduce the amount of sediment that reaches waterways and wetlands.

Pictured above: Before and after images of Barrineau Park Road in Baldwin County, Ala. Pictured inset: Work on the Baldwin County side of the Perdido River in August 2010. Pictured below: Barrineau Park Road on the Florida side of the Perdido River. Submitted and NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

http://www.northescambia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/duckplace10.jpg

Comments

24 Responses to “Plans Underway To Pave Popular Route Across Perdido River To Alabama”

  1. megan on September 13th, 2013 9:53 pm

    Thank you to all of the people that had so many nice respectable things to say about my grandfather. I’m not involved in the politics of this at all and furthermore had nothing to do with this decision or the decisions made for the heir property. This is the way we would drive to see him growing up as we lived in Baldwin County. So many memories, again thanks for the respectable feelings you all have for him. My Paw Paw is greatly missed!

  2. 429SCJ on March 10th, 2013 9:52 am

    I pay my boat hull and trailer fee$, my management pass, ccp, fishing/hunting liscense.

    I launch from FWA or private launchs. I don’t cause trouble, property damage or leave my trash. I respect private property. I go up the river, I go down the river. I observe Navigation regulations and craft requirments. I show courtesy to canoers and tubers.

    If you have a problem with it beyond that, you had better take it up with the Lord.

  3. Janice Parker on March 9th, 2013 5:06 pm

    The only acess to Perdido River north of there is a landing called 3-runs. Same thing happened to the people up here. We had outsiders come in and trash the place. The owners told us to have acess we had to organize ourselves and lease the property. Lots of strict rules are necessary. We provide our own insurance out of our dues and with what was left, picnic tables and grills were purchased. It has a locked gate and only members have keys. We may bring guests. Works our well for the locals. The people of Barrineau Park and Molino can do the same thing. If you can get no co-operation on the Florida side, then Alabama is another option. I hope you can work this out. I, for one, am glad they’re paving the road. It’s going to change options for you guys a lot more than you think. Go on-line to River laws and READ!

    Janice Parker

  4. First Time on March 8th, 2013 8:30 am

    Access to that area has been open and closed multiple times. I remember launching the boat there with my Dad for years. However, the “trash” kept leaving their trash. There was times that you would find beer bottle with the bottoms broke off and stuck neck down in the sand. The majority of people that used it…took care of it. But it only takes a select few to ruin it for all. Along time ago Merwin closed off the river access and some punks burned down one of his barns in spite. As much as I wish there was access for the public…I can understand the Estates stance in NOT allowing people to access their property. If you want a public access, go visit the new Management area down Jacks Branch.

  5. Just my opinion on March 8th, 2013 8:16 am

    I’m confused Jeff, why should there be public access to private property? The waterway might be public but the access to it is not. This means yes you can swim, tube, canoe, or boat down and up the river but it does not mean you can stop on any peice of land you choose. I might be wrong but the estate owns the Florida side of that property, the road is a private road that the govt has a right of way through to the Alabama side. Maybe if in the past 30 yrs the now adults who used this as a swimming hole hadn’t trashed the area and disrespected the property and owner, it might be open to all to swim. It only takes one bad apple, . . .

  6. First Time on March 8th, 2013 8:13 am

    @Mr.B – I worked for Mr. Barrineau for years myself so I have a pretty good idea of who you might be….as there wasn’t many that had the privelage of working for Merwin. Unfortunately we seen first hand how much (little) this “family” helped the Estate and Merwin while he was alinve. Now that he’s gone they’ve let the place go to hell. The barns, equipment, everything looks horrible. God forbid you ask them for access to the sand bar.

  7. 429SCJ on March 8th, 2013 5:26 am

    I learned to swimn there in the summer of 66. I camped there for about a week when I retired in the spring 99.

    This was a nice place to go and enjoy the water until the people outside the area started arriving, breaking beer bottles, strewing trash.

  8. scs on March 7th, 2013 9:42 pm

    Glad to see this! Couldnt have said it better myself mrb & first time.. You guys are dead on with those comments..

  9. Jeff Etheridge on March 7th, 2013 9:31 pm

    Somehow this area needs to be made into a public access area. I’m sorry for the Barrineau Estate but no one “owns” access to a public waterway that spans counties and states.

    We need a public park built for the people at this location with access for all citizens.

    And for all you who want to jive about “private property”–my family has lived up here for over 40 years and I remember the good old days too.

    We need a park at the bridge.

  10. JSCS on March 7th, 2013 2:23 pm

    Thank you, Mr. Barry. This will be very welcome to many people who travel it frequently. We have been waiting for someone to do something and this is the best news we will hear today.

  11. Lawson on March 7th, 2013 2:15 pm

    “First Time” and “mrb” Times, situations and needs change. Please cut the kids some slack.

  12. wow on March 7th, 2013 1:01 pm

    who cares!!!!!! can’t swim there anymore!!!

  13. Jessica on March 7th, 2013 12:17 pm

    Look at my honey boo boo gradin away!! :)

  14. River Rat on March 7th, 2013 8:59 am

    @ well,

    The answer to your question will be no. You can bet you last dollar that there will be many signs placed saying “NO PARKING ON THE RIGHT OF WAY”

    @ dusty,

    I have great memories of that road and swimming at the river! If only people would not trash the place and tear things up everyone would still be able to enjoy the beauty of the river. Unfortunately those days are gone!

  15. awwwwwwwwww no! on March 7th, 2013 8:58 am

    looks like they aren’t gonna ever get pineville rd. paved…

  16. mrb on March 7th, 2013 8:55 am

    @ First Time.. AMEN! This is definately the First Time anything good has come from the Estate since Mr B passed away.. I had the pleasure of working for Mr B over several years & it hurts just to drive by his place anymore seeing it all in the condition its in.. Things have sure changed around there since his sisters kids & cousin have taken over.. I never saw them around much when things needed to be done on the farm either.. RIP Mr B, I miss you..

  17. van on March 7th, 2013 7:42 am

    @dusty – because that road is a major thoroughfare…and because immature kids can’t seem to manage not tearing up the road and other drivers have to hit their holes and burnouts. I am all for dirt roads, but there are PLENTY in the north escambia area that aren’t major routes for people every day that you can go make more memories on.

  18. First Time on March 7th, 2013 7:37 am

    This will be the first good thing to come from that Estate since Mr. Barrineau passed away. Boy they just don’t make em like they used too.

  19. 429SCJ on March 7th, 2013 6:24 am

    It will be nice to drive this route without getting dusted with red clay, by speeding drivers. The holes and mud won’t be missed either.

    Remember this road is on a flood plain and washs.

  20. Lawson on March 7th, 2013 5:49 am

    ….Also, thanks to the Barrineau young-’uns. The community is proud of you guys.

  21. Lawson on March 7th, 2013 5:44 am

    Thank you, Commissioner Barry. This is very important to the folks who live in this area.

  22. masterofsarcasm on March 7th, 2013 5:34 am

    This is a good thing! The less dirt roads we have, the less country songs we will have about riding down them!…it’s a win-win!

  23. well on March 7th, 2013 5:03 am

    66′Right of way, now can we park on the right of way and swim?

  24. dusty on March 7th, 2013 1:12 am

    so many memorys lost in that pavement! why dont they leave things the way they always were