Arch Placed On Pensacola Bay Bridge

June 28, 2019

A 800,000-pound steel arch was placed atop the new eastbound Pensacola Bay Bridge Thursday.

Barge-mounted construction cranes lifted the 375-foot long by 83-foot tall arch into place above the navigational channel of the new bridge. Installed, the top of the arch stands approximately 150-feet above the waters of Pensacola Bay. The arch is a signature architectural element for the new bridge that will also provide structural support for the multiuse path included on the bridge.

Completion of the eventual eastbound bridge is currently estimated for later this summer. At that time, two lanes of east and two lanes of westbound traffic will be moved to the new bridge while the existing structure is demolished and the new westbound bridge is constructed.

The new Pensacola Bay Bridge will consist of two, parallel structures, each equipped with three travel lanes, adjacent inside and outside shoulders, and 10-foot multiuse paths for pedestrians and bicyclists. Final completion of the new bridge, and the adjacent 17th Avenue interchange in Pensacola, is currently estimated for mid-2021.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

13 Responses to “Arch Placed On Pensacola Bay Bridge”

  1. E vs W vs N vs S on June 29th, 2019 7:23 am

    Re: why is southbound eastbound, and vice versa?

    The Pensacola Bay Bridge is designated as US 98. That highway runs from West Palm Beach, FL to Natchez, MS as an east-west route (even number). When going to Gulf Breeze from Pensacola, by compass, it is roughly south. But when considering the bigger picture of the US 98 route alignment, one is traveling eastbound. The reverse is true when coming from Gulf Breeze to Pensacola.

  2. MR REALITY on June 29th, 2019 2:29 am

    Bob. all East/West roads only travel east/west….I guess you would of put the bridge thur the MIDDLE of the bay then…>We could of had the 25 mile bridge….SMH

  3. bob on June 28th, 2019 10:32 pm

    I could never understand why they say the bridge is a East/West bound bridge. The bridge allows you to travel to the North/South.

    Can someone please explain this to me?

  4. Charlie on June 28th, 2019 6:16 pm

    Looks like more for pure decoration purposes than for actual support of anything. Traffic lanes need no extra support, but a ten foot multi use path needs a massive (& I assume massive extra cost) support arch?

  5. anne 1of2 on June 28th, 2019 4:46 pm

    I want to sit and have ice cream in my car and just admire it at night

  6. chris on June 28th, 2019 3:52 pm

    “Wonder if there will be restrooms and a cleaning station there?”
    So, homeless veterans cannot get a bed to sleep in, but the bridge needs cleaning stations and restrooms? SMH.

  7. Big Red Dog on June 28th, 2019 2:39 pm

    Sorry, Anne but I believe that fishing will be prohibited from that bridge.

  8. Anne on June 28th, 2019 1:55 pm

    @ Escambia resident

    GREAT Idea on the “2 person cart rides to the top” that would be almost as much fun as the Pensacola Beach Ferris Wheel.

    My boys can’t wait for the bridge to be finished as that 10 foot wide “multi-use lane” will allow them to ride their electric bikes out there and tow a nice wagon full of fishing gear. Bet there is some really fine fishing in that deeper water area.

    Wonder if there will be restrooms and a cleaning station there?

  9. Nice on June 28th, 2019 11:27 am

    It’s so pretty!

  10. nod on June 28th, 2019 11:13 am

    No more head on crashes than usual.

  11. A Alex on June 28th, 2019 6:23 am

    With the east and west bound traffic directed on the new bridge I pray there will be a strong divider it we will have an enormous amount of head on crashes. JUST A THOUGHT

  12. Escambia resident on June 28th, 2019 2:03 am

    If the county had any sense they would have included in the original proposal that the arches have a 2 person cart that rides to the top for sightseeing. Could have easily charged $2 a person for a 7 minute ride. 1 min to center, 5 min at top, 1 min back. Unbelievable on a missed opportunity….

  13. Wooptie-doo on June 28th, 2019 1:00 am

    Gee, get two arches put up and the bridge will compete with McDonalds. Now get the bridge done and get over the forever construction. I’m surprised there’s no toll going there. I mean, they’re still robbing residents of escambia county by charging them to go to a beach that land dwellers(not beach dwellers) pay for!