Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Problem Areas
April 1, 2019
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- · U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) – The following traffic impacts will occur from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, March 31 until Saturday, April 6.
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- Temporary Closure of U.S. 29 Northbound Off and On-ramps- The northbound U.S. 29 off and on-ramps at Nine Mile Road will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday, April 5 to 6 a.m. Monday, April 8 to provide safe work zones for crews to construct partial segments of the future off and on-ramps. Nine Mile Road travelers heading north on U.S. 29 will be redirected to northbound Palafox Street, 9 ½ Mile Road, and back to U.S. 29. Travelers wanting to access Nine Mile Road from northbound U.S. 29 may use W. Hood Drive, Palafox Street to Nine Mile Road.
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- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new northbound bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drainage and paving operations continue. Drivers can expect alternating lane closures Monday through Saturday.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Bridge- Bridge construction will require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, March 31 to Sunday, April 7:
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- U.S. 98 east and westbound from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to just east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- U.S. 90 (North Davis Highway) and State Road (S.R.) 10A (Scenic Highway) Utility Work- Drivers will encounter intermittent lane restrictions from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Saturday, April 6 on North Davis Highway and Scenic Highway in Pensacola at the following locations as crews trim trees around utility lines:
- North Davis Highway: Northbound from south of Scenic Highway to Airport Boulevard
- Scenic Highway: Westbound from I-10 to North Davis Highway
- U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) and County Road (C.R.) 99 (Beulah Road) Intersection- Operations may require intermittent lane closures near the intersection the week of Sunday, March 31. There will be no lane closures allowed from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- I-10 Utility Work- Drivers will encounter alternating and intermittent, east and westbound lane restrictions on I-10 from the U.S. 90 alternative exit (Exit 5) to the U.S. 90 Scenic highway exit (Exit 17) from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Sunday, March 31 until Tuesday, April 2 as crews perform lighting repairs.
- I-110 Utility Work- Drivers will encounter alternating and intermittent, north and southbound lane restrictions on I-110 from the East Gregory Street exit (Exit 1A) to the I-10 interchange (Exit 6) from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Sunday, March 31 until Tuesday, April 2 as crews perform lighting repairs.
- U.S. 98 East Chase Street Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to Bayfront Parkway- Intermittent lane restrictions may take place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, April 1 as crews install pavement markings.
- I-10 Rolling Road Block- Motorists will encounter a rolling road block at the following locations in Pensacola between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. from Monday, April 2 to Wednesday, April 4 as Gulf Power pulls lines across I-10. Law enforcement will slow traffic to 20 mph for 15 minutes at each location.
- I-10 eastbound at one mile east of the S.R. 95/U.S. 29 interchange
- I-10 westbound at one mile east of the S.R. 95/U.S. 29 interchange
- I-110 northbound at East Gregory street
- U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) Widening from Beulah to Pine Forest Road- The westernmost Nine Mile Road eastbound ramp to Interstate 10 (I-10) is temporarily closed. During the closure, Nine Mile Road eastbound drivers will access I-10 eastbound via the second, or easternmost on-ramp at this location. The temporary closure is expected to be in place for several weeks as the westernmost on-ramp is reconstructed.
- U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) Widening from S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) to U.S. 29- Cove Avenue from Nine Mile Road to Fretz Street will be closed from 7 a.m. Tuesday, April 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 6. The closure will allow crews to place drainage pipes across the roadway. Traffic will be detoured to Bowman Avenue and Fretz Street. Detour signs and variable message boards are in place to alert drivers of the temporary road closure and detour routes.
- Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Drainage Repairs- The eastbound, outside lane of Bayou Boulevard in Pensacola will be closed at Ninth Avenue from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, April 3 as crews perform drainage repairs.
- Crary Road Bridge Replacement over Pritchett Mill Creek- Crary Road is closed between Tedder Road and Byrneville Road as crews construct a bridge culvert. Motorists will be detoured via County Road (C.R.) 4 and Byrneville Road. The project is anticipated to be complete spring 2019.
- Bratt Road Bridge Replacement over Canoe Creek - Bratt Road will continue to be closed near Canoe Creek. Drivers on Bratt Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to Pine Barren Road and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will be detoured east on Bratt Road. The project is anticipated to be complete summer 2019.
- Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek - Construction activities have begun. The roadway will be temporarily closed during construction. Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to C.R. 99 and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will utilize Pine Barren Road.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 87 Pavement Markings Replacement- Traffic will encounter minor delays at the following locations Monday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. to Thursday, April 25 as crews remove and replace pavement markings in the roadway. Law enforcement will be on site to direct traffic:
- U.S. 90 to Nicholas Lake Road
- U.S. 98 to Vonnie Tolbert Road
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Bridge construction will require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, March 31 to Sunday, April 7:
- U.S. 98 east and westbound from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to just east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola, between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – The following construction related traffic impacts are planned for I-10 and Avalon Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Sunday, March 31:
- The new eastbound travel lane on I-10, between the Escambia Bay Bridge and Avalon Boulevard, will open the week of Sunday, March 31.
- Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Thursday evenings as crews perform construction activities.
- Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, March 31 through Friday, April 5 as crews work to widen the roadway.
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 through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Gas Prices Jump
April 1, 2019
Rising demand and tightening fuel supplies led to a significant jump at the pump last week. Florida gas prices rose an average of 14 cents, before slipping a penny over the weekend.
Florida drivers are currently paying an average price of $2.75 per gallon for regular unleaded. Sunday’s state average is 13 cents more than a week ago, nearly 30 cents more than last month, and nearly 10 cents more than this time last year.
In Escambia County, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded was $2.61 on Sunday, up from $2.57 a week ago.
“Florida drivers experienced another round of rising prices last week, as fuel supplies continued to tighten due to refinery issues,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Although gas price hikes are not out of the norm, this time of year, it’s something that often catches many motorists by surprise. Fortunately, gas prices appear to be leveling off for now. Based on current wholesale prices, AAA does not forecast another round of rising prices this week, unless there is an unexpected supply interruption or stock market spike. Even still, motorists are not out of the woods yet. Until supply levels return to normal, the potential will remain for additional price hikes.”
Seasonal factors like rising demand, refinery maintenance, lower supplies, and the switch to summer gasoline can cause gas prices to rise 20-75 cents in the spring. So far this year, the state average has risen 64 cents, which is almost 20 cents more than the price-hike drivers experienced last year. The difference is largely due to bigger swings in oil prices this year, and a more volatile maintenance season for refineries.
Tate Aggies Announce 2019 Football Schedule
April 1, 2019
The Tate Aggies have finalized their 2019 football schedule.
The junior varsity and and freshmen schedules are still in the works.
Byrneville Elementary Begins Process To Finance New Construction
April 1, 2019
Byrneville Elementary School is moving forward toward a loan to construct new classrooms to replacing aging portable buildings.
The loan, estimated to be up to $3 million, will be through the USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program through United Bank.
United Bank Vice President Chris Walker told the Byrneville Elementary board of directors that through the program the loan rate will be below prime, and the bank will hold a revenue warrant rather than a mortgage.
“This is so good for the borrowers. That means they are not going to seek a mortgage on the property which saves you closing costs,” he said.
Capital Trust Agency Executive Director Ed Gray attended the board’s meeting to offer financial advice in an unofficial capacity at no charge. He said the board may need to divide their overall construction project into smaller, more affordable projects.
Byrneville, a charter school that operates under its own board of directors, will first submit financials to United Bank to determine the feasible loan amount before moving forward.
Last year, the board discussed an ambitious building program for a new building with 10 classrooms, a 1,000 square foot multipurpose room and associated spaces, and a new cafetorium with a serving kitchen. The project would also have included upgrades to the existing main school building to include fire sprinklers and central air conditioning and converting the existing cafeteria into a library space that will include a closed circuit television studio. The estimated price tag with furnishings was about $7.7 million.
Byrneville Elementary Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan said “we know right now we can’t” afford a loan for the complete project to include complete renovation of the school’s main building, which was constructed in 1941.
Pictured top: Byrneville Elementary School board of directors members Cheryl Boutwell and Jeremy Hawsey listen to a presentation from United Bank Vice President Chris Walker. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate, Northview Release Testing Schedules
April 1, 2019
Spring testing is beginning soon at Tate and Northview high schools as follows:
TATE HIGH
April 9 – English Language Arts Writing grades 9 & 10
May 1 – US History
May 1 – English Language Arts Reading Session 1 grades 9 & 10
May 2 – English Language Arts Reading Session 2 grades 9 & 10
May 6 – Biology
May 8 – Algebra and Geometry Session 1
May 9 -Algebra and Geometry Session 2
NORTHVIEW HIGH
April 2 – English Language Arts Writing grades 9 & 10
May 1- US History
May 1 – English Language Arts Reading Session 1 grades 9 & 10
May 2 – English Language Arts Reading Session 2 grades 9 & 10
May 7 – Algebra and Geometry Session 1
May 8 – Algebra and Geometry Session 2
May 14 – Biology
“These exams are very important because students are required to score proficient on a number of them to meet graduation requirements,” Northview Interim Principal Gerry Pippins said. “Those that are not graduation requirements are calculated to determine the final grade in the course so they are very important as well. We urge all parents to make sure their child gets plenty rest and attends all testing sessions so they give themselves the very best chance to succeed.”
Source: Schedules provided by each school.
No Injuries Reported In Cantonment Wreck
March 31, 2019
There were no injuries reported when a driver struck a guardrail in Cantonment Sunday morning. The single vehicle crash happened on Well Line Road near Santa Rosa Road. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County’s 24 Bridge Replacement Priority List
March 31, 2019
Escambia County has placed 24 bridges on a replacement priority list with an estimated total cost of about $24.5 million.
The county created the list to for possible funding from the state legislature during the current session. But the Escambia County Commission later declined to submit the request after learning bridge replacement would compete for the same potential state funding as a road project wish list that was previously submitted.
“We have a bridge crisis in Escambia County. We have 90 wooden-frame bridges. Many of them … have a construction date of unknown, an age of unknown. That is frightening. Many of them, we are talking 60 or 70-year-old wooden-frame bridges,” Commissioner Doug Underhill said at a January meeting. He said there are 90 wooden-frame bridges in the county.
In November, the commission submitted four priority funding requests in no particular order:
- Muscogee Road Widening and Drainage Project
- Beulah / I‐10 Interchange / US 29 Connector Project
- Pine Forest Road 4‐Laning (I‐10 to Nine Mile Road)
- West Cervantes Street / Mobile Highway Corridor Safety Improvements
Four additional requests were also submitted:
- Estuary Program — Pensacola/Perdido, Choctawhatchee, and St. Andrew’s
- Bob Sikes Fishing Pier Rehabilitation & Pensacola Beach Blvd. Access Road Project
- Klondike Road / Wilde Lake Blvd. Widening Project
- Funding through Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) towards Pedestrian/Bicycle Projects
The Escambia County bridge replacement priority list is as follows:
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Thousands Attend Blue Jacket Jamboree, Livestock Show, Egg Drop (With Photo Gallery)
March 31, 2019
Thousands of people attended the annual Northview High School FFA Blue Jacket Jamboree and the Gulf Coast Agriculture & Natural Resources Youth Organization Annual Spring Livestock Show Saturday in Molino.
The event included plenty of arts and crafts, a car show and more, including a special visit from the Easter Bunny and an egg drop from a ladder fire truck.
The livestock show included 4-H and FFA youth exhibiting hogs, beef cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, and rabbits from Escambia and neighboring counties. The day ended with youth exhibitors auctioning off their market animals.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Ballpark Celebrates Opening Day (With Photo Gallery)
March 31, 2019
Saturday was opening day at the Cantonment Ballpark with a full state of opening day games.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Track Results
March 31, 2019
The following Northview track athletes placed in a recent track meet at Baker:
Girls
100m Nene Findley 1st, Lexi Broadhead 2nd
Girls 4×100 1st Nene Findley, Korelis Moralis, Sarius Davis, and Lexi Broadhead
300m Hurdles Karlee Criswell 3rd
200m Nene Findley 1st, Lexi Broadhead 2nd
Girls 4×400 2nd Nene Findley, Taylor Lashley, Karlee Criswell, Sarius Davis
High Jump Karlee Criswell 3rd
Boys
4×800 3rd Garrett Bodiker, David Lamb, Colby Morris, John Bashore
110 Hurdles 3rd Jarius Moorer
100m Quay Thomas 1st, Daniel Merit 3rd
4×100 1st Keaton Brown, Quay Thomas, Daniel Meritt, Jarius Moorer
800m 3rd Colby Morris
3200m 3rd David Lamb
200m 1st Daniel Meritt
Shot Put 2nd Cameron Findley
Long Jump 1st Ray Bush
Triple Jump 2nd Chris Nordman, 3rd Ray Bush
High Jump 2nd Chris Nordman, 3rd Ray Bush