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Tax Watch: North Escambia’s New $1.1 Million Bridge To (Almost) Nowhere
July 30, 2014
Traffic on Pineville Road in North Escambia was transitioned to a temporary roadway and bridge Wednesday so crews could begin demolishing and replacing the existing bridge over Brushy Creek.
Don’t know where that is? You are not alone. The $1.1 million bridge project funded by the Florida Department of Transportation is on one of the most remote and least traveled dirt roads in Escambia County.
The existing bridge, which inspections have shown is in need of replacement, was constructed in 1967. It’s about two miles off County Road 97A in Enon, a tiny quiet community where most residents take pride in living in the “middle of nowhere”. The bridge, however, does not serve most Enon residents on their normal commute. It’s not a hurricane evacuation route, truck route, or any kind of route. It is (almost) a bridge to nowhere.
The southern end of Pineville Road is a sandy road that winds through literally thousands of acres of timber, mostly owned by La Floresta Perdida, Inc. It’s peaceful, quiet and scenic. The sound of Brushy Creek flowing around white sandy banks is broken only by the wind and birds. There are no power lines out here, and cell service is spotty at best on most carriers.
On the distant side of the bridge, there are maybe a half dozen homes where residents can leave home and either go south on Pineville Road and cross the bridge to reach Highway 97A or go north to Occie Phillips Road to reach 97A. The maximum detour length around the new bridge is 1.9 miles, per FDOT.
“I don’t see why they don’t just close the road instead of spending money on the bridge,” one resident said, not wanting us to use his name because he did not want to upset his few neighbors. “It’s not like it goes anywhere.”
The traffic count on Pineville Road, according to FDOT data, is 40 vehicles per day. That’s less than two vehicles per hour, on average, all day. Many of those, the resident acknowledged, are likely forestry workers, hunters or “kids going to the creek”. But those 40 drivers per day won’t be inconvenienced by a detour on Pineville Road with the construction of a temporary steel bridge opening Wednesday that includes guardrails and paved approaches on the lonely dirt road.
However, when looking toward the future, FDOT estimates traffic on the bridge will increase from 40 vehicles per day to 44 per day by the year 2032.
On the other side of Escambia County, just outside Century, FDOT is replacing a bridge on Fannie Road. The average daily traffic count on that bridge, for comparison, was 1,104 vehicles per day. No temporary bridge was constructed; area residents must take a lengthy detour through Century and Flomaton, Ala., to reach their destination.
The $1,116,299.22 bid to replace the Pineville Road bridge over Brushy Creek and build the temporary detour bridge, was awarded to Murphree Bridge Corporation of Troy, AL. Other bids on the project were from Gulf Group, Inc. for $1.17 million, Scott Bridge Company for $1.48 million and Anderson Columbia for $1.60 million.
The project is expected to be complete sometime this fall.
Pictured: A temporary bridge is now in place next to the soon to be demolished and replaced Brushy Creek Bridge on Pineville Road. The area averages just 40 vehicles per day. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
39 Responses to “Tax Watch: North Escambia’s New $1.1 Million Bridge To (Almost) Nowhere”
I,m glad our county commissioners voted to replace lower brushey creek bridge. I hope the Phillips Road Brushey Creek bridge will also be replaced at some time in the future. The approaches to lower Brushey Creek bridge are inundated during sustained heavy rain; as are the approaches to the Phillips Road Bridge. Installation of bypass culverts on either side of the bridges would serve to pass the water under the roads. thus preventing the low approaches from bing washed into the swamp. the approaches being built up without culverts will produce the fill behind the bridge head wall washing away along with a portion of the approaches. three culverts three feet in diameter and twenty four feet long. Spend money now and save money later by not having to repair the approaches after each flash flood. thousans of tons of wood have croosed these bridges until they were unsafe for heavy loads. Houses and paper products we all have used came from the forest these bridges give access. The bridge c99a north of Ernest Ward Middle School over Little Pine Barren Creek needs to be replaced and widened. Schoolbus traffic over this bridge is frequent and this bridge is 50 years old ; at least. Paveing the 1.5 mile strech of Pineville Road from Aruther Brown Road to Dry Springs Community Church would benefit our community at large; In that users during wet weather would no longer be sliding all over the road in certain places and hitting the ditch in other places. Tax payer money is not wasted where we live. We thank God for any repair or improvement on roads and bridges. Thanks to the county and state for getting the money and the workers for getting the job done.
I have read the comments on the Brushy Creek Bridge and have to agree with the argument that a temporary bridge was unnecessary. I live in “Nowhere” on Pineville Road. All the residents out here are tax payers in Escambia County and also in the State of Florida. We pay property taxes just like the folks “down South”. If we buy gasoline in Escambia County we pay the taxes to support the ECAT system (or that’s what we were told it was for). We have to get out of Nowhere to the nearest ECAT stop we must drive about 25 miles!!!! Also, after Hurricane Ivan, the road to Nowhere was covered with downed pine trees. (We are in the middle of the old La Foresta Perdida Preserve). Between the church on Pineville Road and Arthur Brown Road (the nearest paved road) there were over 300 trees across the road. Well, Escambia County never showed up to assist in tree removal – the Nowhere residents removed the trees so we could get out of Nowhere. We don’t have any evacuation routes out of Nowhere, we don’t have regular patrols by the Sheriff’s Department (Escambia County – remember? ) We are basically forgotten. The Honorable County Commissioners think that Escambia County stops at 9 Mile Road. We have been promised that our road would be paved but that will probably happen after the Lord comes back. So…. don’t kick to hard about a million dollar bridge on a dirt road. The residents of Nowhere, Escambia County Fl. are finally getting a little bit of a return on our tax dollars that we have been investing in for the past gazillion years.
>>What did the inspection of bridge find ? Was it deemed unsafe ?
It’s sufficiency rating was 77.4 There are about 100 bridges in Escambia County a lower (worse) rating.
What did the inspection of bridge find ? Was it deemed unsafe ?
>>>97 to sunshine hill road back in December . How many cars go down that each day
That project was due to the number of injury crashes on the road. The traffic count, at the Alligator Creek Bridge on Crabtree Church Road, was 318 vehicles per day in 2012.
And such is life and everyone has an opinion on how the STATE should spend STATE $$. If it benefits you, you agree. If it doesnt, you dont. Either way, the state is going to decide to do what they want to do.
It seemed no one seemed to mind when the state awarded the county with 1.4 million to put shoulders on the small piece of road from hwy. 97 to sunshine hill road back in December . How many cars go down that each day , or was it just so people could find better parking for a once a year parade . Same people making the decsions , just have a different title to their name . Same stuff different day.
From 40 to 44 cars a day by 2018?? WOW….That road is an important artery to move all those folks to their jobs in the city…YEA RIGHT!!!
There’s only one way into my neighborhood, too. It’s callled Highway 29, and there’s always a train across it.
How come they can’t build a bridge over that mess?
I have lived on this road for 44 years and the FDOT is very inaccurate with there numbers. the 1.9 mile detour is about 8 or 9 miles if your going to Pcola. Some of us Country Bumpkins are employed in Pcola and travel there daily.
Seems as if you don’t live in this piece of heaven, you just don’t understand. Janice Parker, for those that understand an explanation is not needed and for those who don’t understand an explanation will not suffice!!!!!!!!!!!! See ya one the dirt road!!!!!!
I can see putting up a new bridge, but a temp. one no way.
So taxpayers are supposed to pay for a new bridge just so hunters won’t be inconvenienced?
I didn’t say that at all, just stating the facts. But if you want to get technical the hunters pay more taxes than you do considering they buy hunting licenses every year. The residents up there pay taxes as well.
I could care less about the bridge either way, I don’t hunt or live up there anymore
OK…OK… I do realize that all of you have good points and I apologize for my sniping remarks. I do admit that a temporary bridge is a waste of money, and my first concern was the little stream that runs into Brushy Creek right beside the bridge on the South side. Being the only small stream that didn’t dry up during our bad drought a few years ago, I was so afraid that they would destroy it with the temporary bridge. You see, I love this part of the world and all of it’s beautiful places from Escambia River to Perdido River. The property that we live on was homesteaded by my grandfather over 100 years ago. My 96 yr old mother passed the 11th of this month. She lived here all her life. And you’re right, I live here by choice. I have too many memories here to leave. Was told by a cop in Mobile once that if I had a place like this to raise my children that I needed to take them back there. I can show you things and tell you secrets about this land that you couldn’t imagine. I’ve learned that anything you can throw at me, I can survive. We call it “Making Do” And I sign my comments with my name. I don’t hide behind behind pseudonyms.
What about the bridge on Highway 99 north near Oak Grove Park? Every northend school bus crosses that bridge between Northview and Ernest Ward twice or more per day. Could it have not used the money more?
>>>Some of you people need to research the facts before you start flapping your gums
It’s obvious the only one “flapping their guns” are the few people that live on the road and can’t handle a 1.9 mile detour. Heck, you choose to live in the middle of nowhere (and I would too if I could) and drive 25 miles to a grocery store. A little detour would not hurt.
I think the point here is a temporary bride was not needed, a new bridge verus closing the road is debateable (It’s a dirt road, it’s not a hurricane evacuation route). The money would have been better spent on Highway 99 or Highway 168 or Barrineau Park Road, or Highway 97 or any of the other well traveled roads.
>>>And where has this so called FDOT data come from?
The Florida Department of Transportation’s own traffic survey that found 40 vehicles per day. And they come up with their own projection of 44 vehicles per day by 2032.
>>>I know exactly where this rd, come from Perdido thru to 99 Lafloresta Hunting Reserve… SO… It does GO somewhere… And I am not a hunter, I visit Family in Perdido AL….. I have attended several Funeral Burials at the Cemetery off the road also.
From the LaFloresta office at 97A & PIneville to Perdido, AL is about 18 miles via Pineville Road. Or, if there were no temporary bridge, take 97A to 99A to Pineville and it’s still 18 miles, with much more of the route paved. (Although dirt roads are nicer sometimes.)
The church/cemetery is north of Occie Phillips, and again, if there were no temporary bridge over Brushy Creek, would still be easily accessible from the north or south.
Highway 99 and 164 are very well traveled roads by our SCHOOL BUSES!!!! And residents. Really???? These roads are absolutely ridiculously in need of ‘re paving….I dont get it…my tax money…NOT AT WORK FOR ME!!!!!
Myself and a few friends ride bicycles down the dirt road portion of Pineville Rd about 6 times a year. Just short of 15 miles of dirt from one end to the other. We rarely see people on the road, but it is most definately not a road to nowhere. It is a very scenic route to Alabama and makes for a wonderful cycling journey.
Still, regardless of our wonderful cycling journeys, $1.1m is a little much for 40 cars a day…
FYI…At one time Pineville road WAS marked as an evacuation route to the north. It is my understanding that the county was given a time schedule to have every road in Escambia County paved. I believe that any improvement to any bridge or road in the county is more than likely in preparation for this goal. As for the temporary bridge being necessary, there are pros and cons on this subject. One of which is that the bridge on Occie Phillips does get flooded out at times. I think everyone can expect this bridge to be replaced in the near future. School buses are not allowed to cross this one. As a resident, we have been left out over and over when it came to improvements in our area because all of the county’s money has in the past been spent in the south end. Some of you people need to research the facts before you start flapping your gums. And this includes this reporter.
And where has this so called FDOT data come from?
I can tell you that there are way more than 44 cars a day travel this road especially during Hunting season!!
William, I think you have this confused with another route. It’s not a replacement for 97. It’s does not really go anywhere, other than into the woods and few homes….more people wouldn’t use it if it were paved…it will still go nowhere but a few homes…
I know exactly where this rd, come from Perdido thru to 99 Lafloresta Hunting Reserve… SO… It does GO somewhere… And I am not a hunter, I visit Family in Perdido AL.
Only outsiders would think it Goes nowhere!!!
Because I have attended several Funeral Burials at the Cemetery off the road also.
Vote all incumbents OUT of office.
This is horse dung!
“However, when looking toward the future, FDOT estimates traffic on the bridge will increase from 40 vehicles per day to 44 per day by the year 2032.”
Gotta look at the future. Four more vehicles per day in 18 years.
“I can almost guarantee that the traffic survey FDOT conducted was not during hunting season. There is a lot of traffic on Pineville Rd from October thru March. ”
So taxpayers are supposed to pay for a new bridge just so hunters won’t be inconvenienced?
Yes….this does seem like a waste with the temporary bridge in the middle if no where. Especially when the Fannie bridge wasn’t important enough to get one. I mean look at it…at times the people can’t even get to town with all exits being blocked by a TRAIN…yes it has happened..God forbid they need medical attention or an emergency happens….but guess the wonderful FDOT didn’t think about the safety of others in this community. Let’s spend all our tax dollars on a temporary bridge so maybe those 40 cars are not inconvenienced!!!
Wondering how far 1.1 million would go to repave hwy 99 from hwy 97 in Walnut hill to Hwy 4 in Bratt. This a main route for school buses and new teenage drivers trying to get to school. Well I guess the new painted lines will have to do for now.
>>>>I live in Pensacola and have crossed that bridge several times this year and why if they would pave the road a lot more would use it.,, These folks pay taxes just like we do and this is the only other North south route if 97 were to fail.????
I think you have this confused with another route. It’s not a replacement for 97. It’s does not really go anywhere, other than into the woods and few homes….more people wouldn’t use it if it were paved…it will still go nowhere but a few homes.
I live in Pensacola and have crossed that bridge several times this year and why if they would pave the road a lot more would use it.,, These folks pay taxes just like we do and this is the only other North south route if 97 were to fail.????
Just saying!!!
So if the State (FDOT) wants to fund improvements on County maintained roadways why object ? Its not like they give the County the option to use those funds elsewhere or on other projects……..
This money could have been used on olive between palafox and 9th ave where improvement is really needed. I know the north end of escambia needs improvement. But based on the traffic count and even residence posting that this is a waste of money it could have been done differently. I smell county corruption at its best for this project.
I iive in one of those half dozen houses on the other side of the bridge. We never go that way unless we are going to Pensacola. If we are going to work, school, grocery shopping, etc, we are going to Atmore or Walnut Hiil and we go north to Ocie Phillips to get out.
The need for the bridge versus closing the road in argueable. But I agree, the temporary bridge was a BIG waste of money. We could have driven around a couple of miles. That was a lot of tax money for the few people that live back here.
And while I like the idea of getting me a new bridge, are there not others just as bad or worse on more traveled roads that could have used $1.1 million first?
Sounds like a waste? Smells like a waste? Looks like a waste? There, There now– Maybe so, but those 40 autos passing per day may equal to 60 to 80 people. Go for it! in years to come this may open up areas to more homes etc. Our forefathers must have seen fit for a bridge there in 1967. After all the dust settles, our Enon, Fl. area residents can rest to the fact that they have a Modern Safe bridge in this location for at least 80 to 100 years or more. Shucks we should leave the approaches to the Temp bridge for possible making it four lane. North West Escambia County Florida is the up and coming best place to live in our County, Only if they would get rid of that bloody Hwy 97 that gets you there and replace it with a safe four lane highway. Look to the future!
Just saying……………..
I can almost guarantee that the traffic survey FDOT conducted was not during hunting season. There is a lot of traffic on Pineville Rd from October thru March. Also, the bridge on Occie Phillips Rd has flooded more than once which eliminates that route.
>>>>isn’t this a major logging route
No. The traffic count is too low.
Hey William isn’t this a major logging route? I know log trucks are always up and down pineville on the other side of 97A.
I agree! Big waste. Not that they want to replace the bridge.(the log trucks can’t be expected to travel any farther than they have to). The temporary bridge is uncalled for. These are the people that we voted into office; we need to vote them back out for stupidity.
What a major waste of taxpayer money. This road is in nowhere. Why a temporary bridge? That was a big waste.
This is so remote that it’s what 1,000 feet or so from being in Alabama?