FDOT’s Reconstruction Of Highway 29 In Century Will Cost The Town $377K They Don’t Have

August 4, 2022

A $3.3 million Florida Department of Transportation resurfacing and  major safety improvement project on Highway 29 this winter will come with a big price tag for Century.

As we first reported in June, FDOT plans a major reconstruction of Highway 29 from just south of East Highway 4 to the Alabama state line. The project includes the roadway reconstruction, curb and gutter, drainage upgrades, signal loop replacement, driveway modifications, and sidewalks — all paid for by the state.

But Century is facing an estimated $377,411.65 cost to relocate their water, wastewater and natural gas lines due to the highway project.

It’s money that Century does not have.

FDOT will loan Century the money on a 15-year note at 0% interest.

Dale Long, Century’s engineer, told the town council this week that he plans to explore if the town’s new Rural Community designation might allow for forgiveness of all, or part, of the loan amount.

Pictured: Looking south into Florida on Highway 29 in Century. Pictured inset: Part of a Highway 29 safety improvement project will include the realignment of this curve. Graphics below show project details. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

14 Responses to “FDOT’s Reconstruction Of Highway 29 In Century Will Cost The Town $377K They Don’t Have”

  1. tg on August 5th, 2022 8:49 am

    When will the misery end?

  2. A.W.Thompson on August 4th, 2022 10:18 pm

    It has been like driving down a railroad track for years also there has been a couple bad water leaks on the hill at the power substation as long as I can remember.So much for better roads and schools in North Escambia.Its a meck of a hess is what it is.

  3. tax payer on August 4th, 2022 6:01 pm

    fix the road or the roof and repairs at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse.

    don’t be like like the county commissioner that builds side walks to NO WHERE, the one on Longleaf dr.

  4. JR on August 4th, 2022 11:39 am

    @JtheG this section of US29 is in desperate need of repair. Over the years, this is a main trucking thoroughfare between I-65N and Pensacola, and the highway has suffered from the heavy traffic. One would be hard-pressed to notice any road damage from an aerial photo taken above 1,000ft.

  5. Citizen on August 4th, 2022 11:25 am

    That will be a great improvement when it is completed.

  6. George on August 4th, 2022 10:50 am

    Maybe they can use the Capital Trust Agency Fee money for this.

    Oh, wait….. nevermind

  7. RaD on August 4th, 2022 9:54 am

    What is “realignment of this curve” required for and is that what is responsible for relocation of gas/sewer/water lines. Why this is even required because it doesn’t look like it moves much at all. It’s can’t be speed related because at 35mph, making the current curve is not an issue.

  8. Paul on August 4th, 2022 9:47 am

    Sell it to Alabama. ;)

  9. Obie 1 on August 4th, 2022 9:32 am

    WHY does the town of Century have to pay for this? Horse manure!

  10. sam on August 4th, 2022 9:32 am

    that hwy is getting worse every day. it will be a pretty sight having a new hwy to the century city limits then, pot holes to the state line. great!

  11. J-THE-G on August 4th, 2022 9:13 am

    I have some mixed reactions, first being didn’t Century get some kind of money recently from the state? Second being that if they can’t afford it, and conditions aren’t bad enough to imperil drivers, they should not do it at all. Conditions between both images don’t appear to be different enough to be worth it.

  12. Lisa on August 4th, 2022 9:12 am

    I read an article back in 2016 that Century Deputies wrote 1,286 Traffic Tickets In Century in only Three Months. Dating from April 2016 to June 2016. What happen to that money? Does any of that money comes back to Century from those traffic tickets . I can only image the number of tickets that have been written from 2016 to the present and the amount of money that has been collected. I could image some of that money could be used to help Century.

  13. Josh Jones on August 4th, 2022 9:06 am

    @She

    “Do like we do, no money, No Can Do!”

    That’s not how most do. Most of us simply borrow the money and do it anyway.

  14. She on August 4th, 2022 8:50 am

    Do like we do, no money, No Can Do!