Not So Fast: Molino Road Bridge Replacement To Take Longer Than First Anticipated

July 16, 2016

Molino Road will be closed longer than originally anticipated for a bridge replacement later this year.

In February, the Florida Department of Transportation and Escambia County signed off on the project to replace the bridge over Penasula Creek, west of Highway 29 on Molino Road between 4 Star Farm Road and Sunshine Hill Road. Original plans called for the bridge to be closed 180 days, but now FDOT says the closure will be closer to 270 days.

Construction, and the road closure, are expected  to begin in October.  A detour of approximately seven miles will be available at Sunshine Hill Road, Crabtree Church Road, and Highway 29.

The bridge has reached a level of deterioration to warrant replacement and is next on the list of the FDOT’s Five-Year Work Plan.  During construction, Molino Rod will be closed for about six to nine months to minimize costs and construction time.  The project will be funded and the construction work will be performed under contract for the Florida Department of Transportation. After completion of the structure, Escambia County will be responsible for the maintenance of the bridge.

The wood piling supported Molino Road Bridge over Penasula Creek  was constructed in 1958.

Pictured top: The Molino Road bridge over Penasula Creek. Pictured: The deteriorating wood pilings that support the bridge. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

4 Responses to “Not So Fast: Molino Road Bridge Replacement To Take Longer Than First Anticipated”

  1. Anne on July 17th, 2016 8:49 pm

    Any of y’all been in Pensacola and gone from Cordova Mall area down 12th Avenue toward town?
    “They” have been piddlin’ around on a short bridge there for a mighty long time and don’t even have one side of it finished up yet.
    We laughed out loud because it’s about like it looked two months ago.
    Reckoned the builder is getting paid by the hour.

  2. LIZ FILLINGIM on July 16th, 2016 5:31 pm

    That is just SILLY,the bridge is not much longer than 20 ft.

  3. Burnie D Silcox on July 16th, 2016 4:38 pm

    I live on Sunshine hill Rd. a narrow two lane country road. The speed limit is 35 mph. about half drive this spees, the rest drive 45—60 mph. There are many hidden drive-ways. The raceway is from Molino Rd. (HWY 182 north to Crabtree Church Rd.Then Crabtree to Hwy 29. Since we have land & family on each side of Rd. I Pray they will put down Temp. speed strips. There are children & school Buses .If they re-direct cars down Sunshine Hill as I know they will. There will be logging trucks & many other heavy Eqt. Movers If this not addressed people will be hurt or killed.Its very narrow.

  4. Honest John on July 16th, 2016 5:39 am

    I sure am glad that bridge is no bigger then what it is !