FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
November 20, 2016
Drivers will encounter traffic variations on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities. There will be no work that requires lane closures on state roadways from 7 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving Holidays.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 29 (State Road (S.R.) 95) Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to 9 Mile Road- Alternating lane closures on U.S. 29 near the U.S. 29/Nine Mile Road overpass between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. through Tuesday, Nov. 22 as workers install barrier wall to accommodate the construction of the new bridge. Work will resume Monday, Nov. 28.
- Perdido Key Drive (S.R. 292) Resurfacing from the Alabama State Line to the Intracoastal Waterway Bridge- Intermittent and alternating daytime lane closures will continue through Tuesday, Nov. 22 as crews perform shoulder reconstruction work. Traffic flaggers will be on site to assist with traffic control. Work will resume Monday, Nov. 28.
- Davis Highway (S.R. 291) Resurfacing from north of Fairfield Drive to north of Langley Avenue- Intermittent lane restrictions from Brent Lane to Langley Avenue continue through Monday, Nov. 21. Lane closures will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Turn Lane Construction east of I-10 Interchange- Westbound right, outside lane closed from 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22 as crews construct a westbound right turn lane into Westwood Apartments.
- 9 Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest to U.S. 29- Motorists traveling Untreiner Avenue between Nine Mile Road and Powell Street will encounter intermittent lane closures between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. through Tuesday, Nov. 22 as crews lay additional asphalt for an upcoming traffic shift. Once paving is complete, traffic will be shifted eastward onto the temporary asphalt as crews begin drainage improvements on the west side of Untreiner Avenue. Work will resume Monday, Nov. 28.
- Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727/295) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway to North Pace Boulevard- Intermittent and alternating lane closures on Fairfield Drive between Mobile Highway and North Pace Boulevard between 8:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. through Wednesday morning, Nov. 23 as crews perform paving operations. Work will resume Monday, Nov. 28.
- Bluff Springs Road over Pritchett Mill Creek Bridge Replacement- The road is temporarily closed as crews begin construction of a new bridge. The project is anticipated to be complete spring 2017.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Bridge– The outside lane of U.S. 98 eastbound, on the east end of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze, will be closed from 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23 as crews perform tree trimming work.
- S.R. 87 Maintenance Operations from Ridge Crest Drive to Magnolia Street in Milton- Southbound outside, right lane closed from 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23 as crews test and repair air leaks in manholes.
- I-10 Resurfacing from east of S.R. 87 to the Okaloosa County Line- Intermittent and alternating lane closures east and westbound between the S.R. 87 interchange and the Okaloosa County line from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 20 through Wednesday, Nov. 23 as crews perform construction activities. Motorists are reminded the speed limit is reduced to 60 MPH within the lane closure.
Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through the construction zone, and to pay attention for workers and equipment entering and exiting the work area. All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling in a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Three Pedestrians Hit By Vehicle, One Dies
November 20, 2016
One of three pedestrians hit by a vehicle early Saturday morning in Escambia County has died.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 19-year old Bryant Zachidny was westbound on Navy Boulevard approaching Old Corry Field Road as three pedestrians were walking north across Navy Boulevard in a crosswalk. Zachidny’s 201 Chevrolet Lumina struck all three pedestrians at 12:05 a.m.
Nicholas Murphy, 19, later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at Baptist Hospital. Breona Mackoff, 18, and Zachary Meehan, 18, were also hit. Mackoff ws listed in critical condition at Baptist Hospital, while Meehan received injuries and was not transported to the hospital.
Any charges against Zachidny are pending the outcome of the FHP investigation.
Molino Community Thanksgiving Service Set For Sunday Night
November 20, 2016
Multiple churches in the Molino area will come together Sunday night for the annual Molino Community Thanksgiving Service.
The service will begin at 6:00 p.m. at Highland Baptist Church, 6240 Highway 95A North, Molino The service will focus on unity, the Church and Thanksgiving. A covered dish fellowship will follow.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
Pictured: Highland Baptist Church in Molino. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
November 20, 2016
The following students (pictured above) were named Students of the Month for October at Bratt Elementary School.
Raegan Abbott
Desiray Bagwell
Ryleigh Barnes
Isaiah Boatwright
Alysa Bryan
Luke Bryan
Jaxon Byrd
Chloe Criswell
Colton Criswell
Noah Faulkner
Audrey Franklin
Brody Hall
Anthony Johnson
Noah Luker
Mikayla McAnally
Walker Morris
Hunter Parker
Jonathan Patrick
Reagan Peebles
Ally Richardson
Dakota Richardson
Cassie Stilwell
Jeremy Thomas
Bentley Van Pelt
The students pictured below, Cassie Stilwell and Chloe Criswell, were chosen to represent Bratt Elementary School as Escambia County Students of the Month for October.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dodge Ram Driver Dodges Dog, Hits Tree
November 19, 2016
One person was injured when a vehicle hit a tree near Barrineau Park early Saturday morning.
The accident happened about 6:30 a.m. on Barrineau Park Road at Barrineau Lane. The driver said she attempted to dodge a dog in her Dodge Ram and collided with the tree in the process. She was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Clear And Cold Tonight
November 19, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 34. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 61. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 28. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 29. Calm wind.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the morning.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Thanksgiving Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 68.
Boat, RV Crash In Molino Slows Traffic For Hours
November 19, 2016
There were no injuries in an accident in Molino just before noon Friday involving an RV and a boat.
A driver lost control of an RV that was pulling a boat on a trailer, running off Highway 29 just south of Molino Road. The vehicle continued into a ditch, with the RV entering a wooded area. The boat broke free from the trailer, and passed the RV, coming to rest in the ditch.
The wreck slowed traffic on Highway 29 into the evening hours as large crane was brought in to remove the boat.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Scott: 3,500 New Area Jobs Added In Past Year
November 19, 2016
Governor Rick Scott announced Friday that the Pensacola area added 3,500 new private-sector jobs over the year in October. The area’s unemployment rate was 4.9 percent.
Scott said, “Thousands of families now have the opportunity to find new jobs in Northwest Florida thanks to the success and hard work of local businesses which have added 3,500 new jobs in the last year. A job is the most important thing to a family and that is why we will continue to help Florida businesses succeed by cutting taxes, diversifying the economy and making Florida more competitive for major jobs wins.”
The industry with the most job growth in the Pensacola area over the year was professional and business services with 900 new jobs. The Pensacola area had 4,468 job openings in October, which included 1,219 openings for high-skill, high-wage STEM occupations.
The state’s unemployment rate was 4.8 percent in October, as a result of the rapidly growing labor force which nearly doubled over the month. For the 55th consecutive month, Florida’s annual job growth rate of 3.3 percent is exceeding the nation’s rate of 1.8 percent. Nearly 38,000 Floridians were placed in jobs by CareerSource Escarosa and the state’s other 23 regional workforce boards.
Florida To Suspend Road Construction For Thanksgiving Holiday Period
November 19, 2016
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is suspending construction-related lane closures across Northwest Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday. There will be no work on the interstate or state roads requiring lane restrictions from Wednesday, November 23 through Sunday, November 27. All major roads will be open to normal traffic.
Although no construction closures are scheduled over the holiday weekend, existing state highway work zones will remain in effect and drivers may encounter construction workers and reduced speed limits. Motorists are reminded to use caution while traveling through work zones around barricades and equipment.
FDOT is encouraging drivers to allow extra travel time and to use extra caution in existing work zones along state highways. Drivers are urged to make sure they buckle up, along with their passengers. FDOT and other safety agencies also ask drivers to obey speed limits, get adequate rest before traveling, avoid distractions and never drink and drive.
Drivers also are urged to be prepared for unscheduled highway closures due to accidents, disabled vehicles or other events. Motorists should be alert to changing weather conditions while traveling.
Travelers can access Florida’s 511 service from cell phones, landlines, and online at www.FL511.com to receive updates on travel in the area.
Tate’s Road To State Ends With Loss To Navarre
November 19, 2016
The Navarre Raiders defeated the Tate Aggies Friday night 60-28 in the 6A regional semifinal.
It was the first playoff game hosted by the Aggies since 1977.
Navarre was on the board first with a 65-yard touchdown, 7-0 with 8:39 in the first. The Aggies quickly answered 16 seconds later with a 60-yard touchdown on a pass from Jake Henry to Shermari Jones, 7-7.
The Raider’s Michael Carter returned the kickoff nearly 100 yards, even knocking over a referee along the way, to give Navarre a 13-7 lead. Before the night was over, Carter racked up 330 plus rushing yards and had five touchdowns. He also had a 75-yard touchdown called back on a holding penalty.
With 8:56 to go in the half, Tate scored on a six-yard run from Corey Moorer. A good kick, and the Aggies were on top 14-13. But Navarre took the lead 19-14 on a Carter TD. Tate quarterback put the Aggie back on top with a 63-yard touchdown run with 2:42 remaining the second quarter. A 35-yarder from Carter made it 25-21 headed into the half.
By the end of three, Navarre was up 46-21.
With 7:24 remaining in the ballgame, Henry was in on quarterback keeper, 46-28. But Navarre went on to add a couple more touchdowns.
The Tate Aggies finished their season at 9-3.
Navarre (11-1) moves on to a road trip next week against the St. Augustine Yellow Jackets (11-1).
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
