Newly Paved, Crumbling North Highway 99 Set To Be Fixed By Thanksgiving

November 21, 2019

The crumbling and sinking on recently paved North Highway 99 should be fixed by Thanksgiving, according to Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry.

Shortly after a $2.4 million resurfacing project on the roadway from Oak Grove to Bratt was completed in July, the asphalt began to sink, crack and literally slide under the weight of passing traffic. So far, there’s no definitive answer as to why, but that won’t stop repairs.

“We are still not sure what has caused the problems, but we are sending portions of the road off to a lab to be tested and determine the cause of problem,” Barry said Wednesday evening.

After multiple meetings and testing of core samples over the last few weeks, Escambia County and contractor Panhandle Grading and Paving are going ahead with repairs.

“The most important outcome is to have the road repaired for all the citizens that utilize Highway 99 on a regular basis, and I am happy to report that, weather permitting, Panhandle will complete the necessary repairs by Thanksgiving next week, Barry said. “While we do not have an exact dollar figure for the expense of the repairs, we do expect it to be less than $50,000s, or 2% of the project’s total cost.”

Work is set to begin Monday, November 25 and be completed by Wednesday, November 27 to mill and resurface the problem areas.

“I apologize for the inconvenience our citizens have experienced, but I am looking forward to Highway 99 being in great shape when so many of us will be traveling on Thanksgiving to spend the day with our families and loved ones,” Barry added.

North Highway 99 resurfacing was planned for 2024-25, but the Escambia County Commission fast tracked the advancement of $1,726,325 available in Local Option Sales Tax to last fiscal year and solicited bids.

The 8.01 mile roadway runs from Highway 97, past Highway 4 in Bratt and continues to the state line. It is a major north-south transportation corridor for the area. In addition to the school buses that serve Bratt Elementary on North Highway 99, buses travel the road twice-daily between Northview High and Ernest Ward Middle schools.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

7 Responses to “Newly Paved, Crumbling North Highway 99 Set To Be Fixed By Thanksgiving”

  1. Tom on November 22nd, 2019 6:32 pm

    Wish I as a business owner had this same luxury. Bid low get the job, screw it up and get paid to fix it?

  2. Whirlpool rd resident on November 21st, 2019 8:24 pm

    You can’t lay asphalt over mud. It won’t hold up.

  3. Daily driver on November 21st, 2019 5:35 pm

    What about the spots where they grated the road that can still be seen. Not enough asphalt was put down. You can see the groves with a white line painted right over it. Why should tax payers have to pay this bill again for a job that should have been done correctly the first time. Apparently a different contractor from the bridge replacement because that part of the road is definitely much better with no problems.

  4. Karen on November 21st, 2019 9:05 am

    I wonder why the county is planning on paying for repairs? It seems like the contractor should be held accountable unless it was caused by something out of their control.

  5. Steve on November 21st, 2019 8:57 am

    Beulah Road all over again !! What A Waste the Repair was. been 3 years and crickets.

  6. Tally on November 21st, 2019 6:07 am

    This is concerning that all that repair on Hwy 99 can be done in about a week. 2.+ million for 8 miles and all that repair can be done , For less then 50,000. Is this another cost to the tax payer? Was the contractor Bonded ? Why is the Hanks bridge project been shut down for months.

  7. Bartender on November 21st, 2019 5:53 am

    Besides the bad places the road is so nice.we are proud of that road.it went to long without being paved.the bridge is a beautiful site to.fix it an everyone will be happy.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News