Here’s The Latest Update On The Pensacola Bay Bridge Repairs

December 4, 2020

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) contractors will soon begin driving piles and setting beams on the Pensacola Bay Bridge to repair damaged spans on the structure.

The piles act as the vertical support structure that is used to hold up the bridge and beams are horizontal supports designed to span from one support to another. The fabrication of multiple concrete piles, piers, and beams continues in preparation for reconstruction.

FDOT continues to:

  • Mobilize multiple contractors working around the clock to facilitate construction and minimize impacts to the existing structure.
  • Approve multiple construction design plans and review additional design plans for the permanent repairs that address the reconstruction of spans for the bridge and reestablishment of four lanes of traffic on the bridge at the same condition as expected for new construction.
  • Widen 2,000 feet of northbound and southbound S.R. 281 south of the I-10 interchange and widen the eastbound I-10 off ramp at eastbound S.R. 281 off ramp to two lanes to improve travel time on the detour route.
  • Meet with stakeholder groups, state and local officials, civic organizations and local business owners to discuss the bridge reconstruction as well as other actions that are being considered to efficiently restore regional connectivity.
  • Fund the Escambia County Area Transit’s (ECAT) temporary bus route to help transport passengers for free between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze.

The Pensacola Bay Bridge has a targeted re-opening date of March 2021. Once repairs are complete, all four lanes will be open with no load restrictions. As each repair method is developed, FDOT will be conducting reviews to ensure the contractor is hitting all milestones in the established schedule.

Motorists should continue to use all available detour routes, which include the Garcon Point Bridge and State Road 87. At this time, tolls on the Garcon Point Bridge have been suspended through Sunday, December 13.

Comments

4 Responses to “Here’s The Latest Update On The Pensacola Bay Bridge Repairs”

  1. Rex on January 29th, 2021 1:24 pm

    So, should insurance companies hold policy holders accountable if they didn’t quite secure some items in their home? We run a slippery slope if we take that approach. I am certain the company has already lost a significant amount on their profit margin.

    This being said, are officials on both sides Being taken to task on explaining why there was a delay? The inconvenience sucks, it’s certainly does. Just trying to be patient, …. and collected.

  2. Bill on December 6th, 2020 9:49 am

    This was a toss of dice by Skanska as two days before the storm struck it started wobbling and certainly looked like it was going to come our way. Skanska could have done something but chose not to because of the money and time they would have lost due to breakdown and movement of barges. It does not take 5-10 days to move and secure a barge unless your moving it to say Virginia. So now there working at a loss and I hope the inspectors are looking carefully at the repairs cause I can see corners being cut to mitigate money loss.

  3. Just saying on December 5th, 2020 10:13 pm

    I don’t see why everyone is so mad at skanska? They did there job to the best of there abilities no one at all was prepared for 100 mph winds everyone was bunkered down for 30 mph winds so they tied for 30 mph winds and of course it went up to 100 they are doing there best to make repairs I’m just staying facts plus it takes up 5-10 days to move each and every single barge in this scenario time was of the essence!

  4. Andrew on December 5th, 2020 2:10 pm

    Glad to see fixes are starting to get underway but when is the company going to be held accountable for its lack or preparation which led to 27/50 getting loose and damaging this bridge and much more? 1 or 2 is an accident. Over 50% means you didn’t do your do diligence to secure your equipment.