Contract Awarded To Design Replacement Bridge On Gibson Road In Molino

October 28, 2021

The Escambia County Commission recently awarded a contract to design a replacement bridge for Gibson Road over Alligator Creek in Molino.

The $167,178 contract was awarded to Mott MacDonald of Florida.

The Gibson Road over Alligator Creek 78-foot wood-supported bridge was constructed in 1959 and is currently beyond its designed service life. It’s also listed as being structural deficient, and there is history of the creek overtopping the bridge. In August 2020, the eastbound lane of the bridge was closed after a failed Florida Department of Transportation inspection.

The roadway and bridge will be designed with an increased elevation to prevent overtopping. Mott MacDonald is allowed under their contract to utilize a design that includes a prefabricated steel or precast concrete structure.

The bid opportunity was sent to 444 emails, with just four responses.

Gibson Road runs between Highway 97 and Crabtree Church Road. There’s no word on when a construction contract will be awarded and construction will begin.

NorthEscambia.com file photo.

Comments

4 Responses to “Contract Awarded To Design Replacement Bridge On Gibson Road In Molino”

  1. David Huie Green on October 28th, 2021 9:12 pm

    Now consider
    http://www.northescambia.com/2021/06/this-century-bridge-was-closed-about-a-year-and-a-half-ago-the-town-cant-afford-to-fix-it

    “The closure turned Freedom Road into a cul-de-sac with one way in and one way out for residents, including the Camellia Gardens apartment complex.

    “Interim City Manager Vernon Prather said at a recent town council meeting that Century simply does not have the money to fix the bridge. Repair costs have been estimated to be more than $300,000.”

    On the face of it, something looks wrong with one or the other.

    I’m sure I’m missing something.

  2. Well on October 28th, 2021 7:54 pm

    Add another zero to the end of that and you will be close to the replacement cost.

  3. William Reynolds on October 28th, 2021 10:39 am

    “Having lived on Gibson Road for 38 years the bridge over Alligator Creek is not wooden. It may be low and needs to be replaced but it certainly is not a wooden bridge.”

    The story says “wood-supported” bridge, not “wooden bridge”. Like most county bridges that are several years old, it is supported by wood pilings. The deck is concrete, but there’s wood holding it all up.

  4. Mike Spinks on October 28th, 2021 8:21 am

    Is North Escambia hard up for stories? Having lived on Gibson Road for 38 years the bridge over Alligator Creek is not wooden. It may be low and needs to be replaced but it certainly is not a wooden bridge.