FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts – Where To Expect Delays
June 18, 2018
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads 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. 90 (Nine Mile Road)- Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 17 through Saturday, June 23 as follows:
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: North and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new center bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drivers may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations. U.S. 29 lane restrictions are Monday through Saturday.
- Northbound traffic has been shifted onto the newly constructed bridge section as demolition and reconstruction efforts on the northbound span begins.
- Due to the increased vertical clearance of the new bridge, the on-ramp will be extended up to the entrances of Emerald Cuts Salon and the Unitarian Universalist Church. This temporary shift will affect access to businesses and residences on the east side of U.S. 29 between 9 Mile Road and 9 1/2 Mile Road. The following will be in effect for the next 60 days:
- Motorists seeking access to properties on the east side of U.S. 29 will utilize the northbound on-ramp.
- Only right turns will be permitted for vehicles exiting driveways from these properties between 9 Mile Road and 9 1/2 Mile Road.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing between U.S. 90 and Muscogee Road - Alternating lane closures north and southbound, from Muscogee Road to West 9 ½ Mile Road, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 17 through Thursday, June 21 as crews pave the roadway.
· I-10 / U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- The following traffic impacts are planned on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exits 10) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 17 through Thursday, June 21:
-
- Alternating lane closures on I-10 east and westbound and U.S. 29 north and southbound.
- The U.S. 29 on-ramps to I-10 eastbound will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
- Alternating lane closures on the I-10 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 29 north and south (Exit 10).
· U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 17 through Thursday, June 21 as crews perform construction activities.
· U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from Perdido Bay Bridge to Dogtrack Road – Alternating and intermittent, east and westbound lane closures from Perdido Bay Bridge to Dogtrack Road from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, June 17 through Thursday, June 21 as crews perform construction activities.
· S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) near Lakeview Avenue- Traffic will encounter southbound, outside lane restrictions near Lakeview Avenue from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, June 18 as crews perform underground utility work.
· U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) Intersection improvement at County Road (C.R.) 99 (Beulah Road)- Beulah Road will be closed to traffic, just north of Mobile Highway, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, June 19 through Friday, June 22 as crews perform drainage work. A signed detour will be in place. All lanes will be open to traffic during daytime hours.
· S.R. 296 (Bayou Boulevard) Turn Lane Closure- The westbound, right turn lane on Bayou Boulevard, just east of 9th Avenue, remains partially closed until 3:30 p.m. Friday, July 6 as crews install drainage structures for new private commercial businesses.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 17 through Thursday, June 21 as crews perform construction activities.
- S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Intermittent lane shifts from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. the week of Monday, June 18 between Eglin Air Force Base boundary and two miles south of the Yellow River as crews pave the roadway. Additionally, traffic between C.R. 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is complete.
- I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of Avalon Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 17 through Friday, June 22 as crews widen the roadway. In addition, southbound traffic on Avalon Boulevard will be shifted to the west near the I-10 interchange the week of Tuesday, June 19. Northbound lanes are anticipated to be shifted to the west a few days after the southbound shift. The temporary configuration will remain in place throughout the summer months as crews reconstruct the northbound lanes of Avalon Boulevard. Two lanes of traffic will remain open in each direction at all times.
- U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Pond Creek- East and westbound traffic on U.S. 90 over Pond Creek, about one mile west of S.R. 89, will be reduced to one lane from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Thursday, June 21 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled 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 Fall A Few Cents
June 18, 2018
Motorists are getting some welcome relief from high prices at the pump. The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is averaged $2.90 on Sunday, after declining 7 cents since Memorial Day weekend.
“Pump prices should sink even lower this week, after wholesale gasoline prices took a dive,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “There is now firm downward pressure on the oil market as it appears increasingly likely that OPEC will agree to ease production cuts. As a result, gas prices are poised for another 5-10 cent drop.”
Gas prices in Florida declined 5 cents during the past week. The price for a gallon of regular averaged $2.76 on Sunday. Since peaking at $2.92 per gallon on Memorial Day weekend, gasoline has dropped a total of 16 cents.’
The average price per gallon in Escambia Count was on par with the rest of the state at $2.76. One week ago, it was $2.78.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
June 18, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of October 9-13:
Monday, June 18
District 4 Town Hall Meeting – 6 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
Tuesday, June 19
Board of Electrical Examiners – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Pensacola Escambia Development Commission Board of Directors – 10 a.m., 418 W. Garden St.
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, Room 104 (Agenda)
X Street Vacation Town Hall hosted by Commissioner Doug Underhill & Commissioner Lumon May – 5:30 p.m., Brownsville Assembly of God, 3101 W. De Soto St.
Wednesday, June 20
Escambia Soil & Water Conservation District – 8 a.m., 151 Highway 97, Molino
Board of Adjustment – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Corrections Director Selection Committee Interviews – 9:30 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor Training Room
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Thursday, June 21
Community Redevelopment Agency – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
Board of County Commissioners Agenda Review Session, Public Forum & BCC Regular Meeting – 9:15 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
Wahoos Drop First Half Finale To The Mobile BayBears
June 18, 2018
The BayBears rallied from behind to win the first-half finale 6-4 over Pensacola on a warm Sunday afternoon at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Vladimir Gutierrez was excellent again today for the Blue Wahoos. He went six innings and allowed two runs on three hits. Those two runs were courtesy of Zach Houchin’s two-run home run in the fourth. Outside of that mistake, the Cuban right-hander was exceptional as he finished his outing with a season-high eight strikeouts and only one walk allowed.
The Wahoos rallied for runs in the fourth and fifth inning to tie the game at 2-2. In this sixth, after back-to-back hits from Nick Longhi and Brian O’Grady, the Wahoos scored on a wild pitch from Samil De Los Santos. Gavin LaValley later lifted a sac fly to center to score O’Grady to give Pensacola a 4-2 edge.
Wyatt Strahan (L, 5-6) entered the game in the eighth and struggled. He allowed a run in the eighth after Luis Rengifo tripled and later scored on Brennon Lund’s groundout. In the ninth he surrendered a leadoff single to Hutton Moyer who scored on Brendon Sanger’s game-tying double. In extras with a runner beginning on second base, Wade Wass homered on the first pitch he saw, which gave Mobile a 6-4 edge.
Jesus Castillo started the first three innings for Mobile. After that the BayBears used six different relievers for the final seven innings of the game, which included two position players in Bo Way and Jared Walsh. The Wahoos loaded the bases in the tenth but Dario Beltre worked around trouble to pick up the win (1-0).
The second-half starts on the road in Jackson when the Wahoos open up a six-game series against the Generals after the All-Star break. Four Wahoos will be participating for the South Division this year in Birmingham, AL. The Wahoos return to Blue Wahoos Stadium on June 28 when they host the Mississippi Braves. T
Portion Of Beulah Road To Have Nightly Detours And Closures
June 18, 2018
Beulah Road between Mobile Highway and Beulah Church Road will experience nightly detours and closures beginning Tuesday, June 19 at 7 p.m. Traffic will be detoured along Beulah Church Road and Rebel Road.
The road closure is expected to remain in effect for approximately four days between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. each day. Every effort will be made to expedite construction to reopen the road before Saturday, June 23.
Construction will consist of upgrading the existing cross drains through the area as part of a Florida Department of Transportation project.
If other lane or roadway closures are necessary beyond the anticipated time periods, another notice will be issued.
Driver Crashes Into Highway 97 Cemetery Fence
June 17, 2018
A driver escaped injured when she ran off Highway 97 in Walnut Hill early Sunday morning.
The 19-year old female was northbound on Highway 97 when she missed a curve at North Highway 99. The vehicle left the roadway, crossed over Highway 99, struck several road signs, a fence, a telephone company pedestal, several bushes and a fire hydrant. The vehicle plowed along and destroyed about 125 feet of chain link fence at the cemetery at the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church.
The accident was reported about 5:30 a.m., but authorities believe it may have happened earlier.
The wreck remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fiery Quintette Road Wreck Claims Two Lives
June 17, 2018
A horrific two vehicle crash on Quintette Road late Saturday night claimed two lives.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 2011 Dodge Charger was westbound on Quintette Road west of Wallace Lake in Santa Rosa County about 11:35 p.m. when the driver veered into the eastbound lane and collided with a 2018 Harley motorcycle driven by 34-year old Steven Bailey of Milton. Bailey was ejected from the motorcycle.
After the collision, the Charger caught fire and struck a tree.
Both drivers were pronounced deceased at the scene. The name of the Charger driver has not yet been released as the FHP works to notify next of kin.
Bailey was a 2002 Northview High School graduate.
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing their investigation and is expected to release further details. Emergency personnel from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties responded to the wreck.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Out Of Reach: The High Cost Of Rental Housing In Escambia County
June 17, 2018
A new report shows affordable housing is simply out of reach for many Escambia County residents.
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), a minimum wage worker in Escambia County must work 80 hours per week to afford a two bedroom apartment at fair market value.
Florida’s minimum wage is $8.25, and Escambia County’s fair market rent for a modest two bedroom rental is $846. According to the NLIHC, workers need to earn $33,840 to afford that apartment — the equivalent of two full time jobs at minimum wage.
The numbers are based on a renter spending 30 percent of his or her income on housing costs, and fair market rent provides an estimate of what a family moving today can expect to pay for a modestly priced rental in a given area.
In order the afford a two bedroom apartment in Escambia County, the report says a worker needs to earn $16.27 per hour. There are 46,096 renter households — about 40 percent of all households — in Escambia County. Those household earn an estimate average wage of $15.12.
“Florida has the nation’s third-highest homeless population, including veterans and families with children. More than 950,000 low income hardworking families, elders and disabled Floridians living on fixed incomes pay more than 50 percent of their incomes for housing,” said Jaimie Ross, president of the Florida Housing Coalition. “Florida’s housing crisis is real; we have a dedicated revenue source to address this crisis.”
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Recipe: Florida Beef Tenderloin With Grilled Vegetables And Herb-Citrus Butter
June 17, 2018
Ingredients:
Florida beef tenderloin, 4 each (4-6 ounces)
2 Florida zucchinis, sliced
2 Florida yellow squash, sliced
12 Florida grape tomatoes
4-6 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1 teaspoon citrus zest, finely chopped
1 tablespoon seasoning blend (your favorite)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
Preparation:
Preheat charcoal or gas grill to medium-high.
In a small bowl combine the butter, chopped rosemary and citrus zest. Lightly season with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Place on a sheet of wax paper and evenly roll it up to form a tube, place in the refrigerator to harden. When firm, slice into discs.
Add all the sliced vegetables to a mixing bowl, drizzle with olive oil and seasoning blend, stir to coat. Season each side of the beef tenderloin with salt and pepper. Carefully place the seasoned vegetables and tenderloins on the hot grill. The vegetables will cook quickly, but still be crisp-tender when cooked. Grill the tenderloins for 2 to 4 minutes on each side. When the desired doneness is reached, remove all food from the grill. Serve warm and garnish with the sliced herb-citrus butter.
Work Continues On Barrineau Park Road Bridge Replacement
June 17, 2018
Work is continuing on a new bridge on Barrineau Park Road (Hwy. 196) over Jacks Branch in Molino. The old bridge has been removed and crews are constructing a replacement bridge over Jacks Branch, adding new guardrail and reconstructing the approach slabs.
Barrineau Park Road remains closed, and traffic is being detoured via Highway 29, Molino Road (Hwy. 182), and Highway 95A. The $1.97 million project is anticipated to be completed in the fall.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
