Affirmed: Escambia's TPO Members Prioritize Beulah Interchange as Area's #1 Priority Project

I've said all along that the Beulah Beltway/Beulah Interchange is the area's #1 priority.  Other commissioners have echoed this sentiment.

Yesterday at the TPO meeting in Gulf Breeze, several important issues were discussed and members voted on several important issues.  But most importantly--several members of the TPO  spoke up and stated that the Beulah Interchange is still the area's #1 priority--this was affirmed.  FDOT also spoke of the importance of the second exit on I-10 for Beulah.

When the subject of the Navy Federal Credit Union,  9-Mile Road Overpass came up, there were several speakers.  A host of NFCU employees spoke out in favor of the overpass.  Some speakers expressed concern about the way the project was rushed through--one speaker characterizing the whole episode as a "Public Relations Disaster" for NFCU. I agree it was a black eye for NFCU, and a demonstration of "hard-power" that was unnecessary.

However, recognizing the tremendous political weight behind moving forward with this overpass concept-- and knowing it would pass no matter what--it should not be surprising that I voted with the rest of the group to make the vote unanimous.

My reasoning for voting to move this forward was threefold:

1-Once the project hits the LRTP and Cost-Feasible lists, it will move forward to a PD&E phase where other practical alternatives must be considered and resident input will be taken into account.

2-there is no doubt that some independent, non-county funding will be coming along with this push to move this project

3--most importantly--This project will not leap-frog any other projects on the work plan--it was placed on the bottom.  Also, this NFCU overpass project will neither detract from the funding and momentum toward completing the Beulah Interchange at Beulah Road and I-10--because this interchange is truly a regional project, it will alleviate traffic gridlock in Beulah, and it is once again affirmed that this is the most important project for Escambia County's future going forward.

Back to Back to Back Radio Interviews...2-14-2018

In the lead up to the all-important vote on the NFCU 9-Mile Road overpass at yesterday's TPO meeting, I was interviewed on 1370WCOA, AM1620, and WPNN AM790.

The discussions were focused mainly on the TPO's vote to move forward a solution for easing traffic on 9-Mile Road--which subsequently passed at the TPO meeting in Gulf Breeze.

Additionally, the Hope Scholarship was discussed, as was the proclamation the board will be voting upon to urge an end to "direct filing" some youth directly into the adult criminal justice system.

The interviews can be heard here (1370 WCOA Interview) and here (AM1620 interview)

The WPNN Interview will be aired on Thursday morning, February 15th, at 6:00AM and 7:00 AM

Three Important Aspects Conveniently, Conspicuously Absent from PNJ Editorial on NFCU's 9-Mile Road Overpass...

One does not need a windsock to see which way the winds are blowing as it relates to the NFCU 9-Mile Road overpass project...

I don’t disagree that a traffic solution for 9-mile road is desperately needed. Everyone knows this. And everyone also knows that NFCU is the greatest thing to happen in DECADES for the Pensacola area and Escambia in terms of economic development and jobs diversification.  And now that the vote has happened at the BCC, the process to construct this solution will invariably move forward through the TPO and into the design and PD&E phase.  However, I do find it interesting that three important issues were left out of this editorial.  

Number 1—the current project to double the capacity of 9-mile road by going from a 2-lane to a 4-lane road (the project that has been under construction out here for the past two years) will be completed next year.  This, in and of itself, will be massively beneficial at easing congestion in the near term in this area.  

Number 2-The Beulah interchange project is moving rapidly and has the potential to be completed before this overpass is completed (the southbound portion of the interchange at a minimum)—and the Beulah interchange, if not “back-burnered” will spread the Beulah-area traffic load between two I-10 freeway exits whereas this NFCU overpass simply funnels all Beulah and NFCU traffic into one exit—which I do not believe is the optimal solution.  

And finally, number 3- I notice the price-tag for this 9- Mile Road, NFCU overpass is also conspicuously left out of the discussion in this editorial—but a $70 Million-dollar project ought to be scrutinized heavily—particularly if it will leap-frog (or has the potential preempt) many other very necessary and worthwhile regional projects on the TPO list.  These were three important data-points conveniently absent from the editorial.  

Now, I can read the tea leaves, I don't need a windsock to tell me which way the hurricane-force winds are blowing, I know there is huge gravity behind this project, and I know it will be funded and will move forward regardless what my constituents or anyone else thinks...

But I want to ---and I will ---set the record straight right here, right now on two things.  

First--the number one project for the region is the Beulah interchange, and whatever happens with this NFCU overpass, it is not more important than the Beulah interchange --which is truly a regional project.  

Secondly-- my no vote on this issue was neither anti-NFCU nor anti-solution.  I agree we need a solution, but I simply wanted time to hear from constituents that live in the area that will be impacted by whatever solution we eventually implement.  I do not think it was unreasonable to request a brief delay of less than 30 days so that more input could be gathered from District 1 constituents—most whom I heard from did not support this overpass.  We all know the way that very reasonable request was handled at the meeting-- and so for principle’s sake I voted NO.  

But now we move forward and I recognize the need to move forward.  My goal from here on out is to be actively engaged with the community during the PD&E phases to ensure this project is the least onerous on residents, most efficient for the commuters, and the most beneficial for the significant taxpayer dollars that will be invested to build this overpass.  

On WPNN Radio--Discussing the Way Forward on Nine Mile Road

I'm a guest on Tom Quinlan's morning radio program this morning and the singular topic of discussion is the 9-Mile road vote last Thursday and what that means going forward for residents and commuters in the Beulah area that are affected by this traffic.




Good interview this morning--looking forward and not looking in the rear-view mirror.

Catch the brief interview here!

Anger, Concern Continues to Erupt over the NFCU 9-Mile Road Overpass, Part III

Anger over Navy Federal Credit Union's $70 Million Dollar Overpass continues to overflow..

"I certainly understand your position, and appreciate that you want residents involved - as they should be.  I think this mainly has been a public relations fiasco, [emphasis added] could have been handled much better...the item popped up on the agenda with a "preferred" option that did not involve the public at all.  More written background on the agenda item could have helped to explain the process, and what this move will mean."  ---Concerned District 1 Resident

"We understand that the current plan is only a concept, but we have the following concerns/observations:

1. Our project is not Future Development, it is currently under construction.

2. The current plan does not allow for west bound exit from Navy Federal or RNC at the proposed intersection. West bound traffic from RNC would need access through the Navy Federal Campus to access Nine Mile Road.

3. There is an existing ECUA/International Paper 48” effluent pipe just east of the Navy Federal/RNC shared property line that we avoided building over in our design. The current concept plan appears include an lane over the 48” pipe.

We request any action taken by the BOCC include assurance that Navy Federal/FDOT/Escambia County include the RNC development in their analysis and design. Your attention to this matter is appreciated." ---- Concerned Area Developer, District 1

"I have been following this issue since it first became public a week or so ago. I am surprised that something of this magnitude would be acted upon so fast.....basically devoid of public input. I know as well as anybody we need improvements in traffic in that area but I am concerned that the Beulah Interchange effort could suffer as result of focusing on another large project.....one that does not solve long term traffic needs.  I strongly urge you to allow appropriate time to allow for public input AND insist that nothing be done that will slow down the Beulah Interchange process. A slowdown of the Beulah Interchange will have serious negative impacts on the Sector Plan and the developers revised MOU that was submitted to county staff last week.  These issues should be addressed together as part of an overall plan and not individually."---Concerned Escambia County Developer

"An earlier proposal to create an additional I-10 exit was defeated by FDOT yet would have been ideal for Navy Federal Employees and for the residents of Nature Trail.  I do not view the proposal to be a reasonable option and I question whether it is also premature decision?  It will, unfortunately, give commuters a great view of our neighborhood.  In addition, the recently constructed sound wall on Nine Mile will be worthless.  Ultimately this will have a negative impact to our quiet community and property values.   The existing construction of four lanes on Nine Mile Road (according to the pre-construction study) is able to handle 10,000 vehicles which would be sufficient. 

So why this flyover option?"  ---Concerned Beulah Resident

"I own property in the Sector Plan area and I am very concerned about  the design of the Navy Federal overpass proposal, it being acted upon so quickly and its potential negative impact on the Beulah Interchange.  I urge you to grant 90 days to allow for the proper study and debate.  Thank you for your consideration"  Concerned District 5 Resident

Anger Erupts over Navy Federal Credit Union's 9-Mile Road Overpass, Part II

Anger and concern is building over the proposed NFCU Overpass project for 9-Mile Road in Beulah--why is this being rushed?

"I worked my way up from XXXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXX in the XXXXX and retired in 1985. In 2010, XXXXXXX and I bought our final retirement home in Nature Trail, a modest patio home. There were two other houses on our street which backs up to Nine Mile Road. I’m thankful that Navy Fed relocated to Pensacola, bringing a lot of jobs with it. My part of the payment for it has become the four-laning of Nine Mile and now a cement wall in place of the trees that used to stand behind our home. There’s not [a lot] of Nature left in the Trail these days. Sir, not everyone in Nature Trail has a lot of money, living in expensive homes. We bought here for the security and what used to be the peace. Please don’t allow commute times to trump what we worked so hard, so long for. I know there are many other voices, probably all with legitimate issues. Please keep the little guys in mind in the discussions. Tallahassee and Wash DC are distant in their priorities as well as geographically. I’m looking to you, sir, as my local voice." Concerned District 1 Resident

"Why is new infrastructure being planned before the effects of the widening [of 9-mile road] project are determined (or even completed?)  Concerned District 1 Resident  

"Most reasonable people understand there is no solution to the Beulah problem until the new interchange opens and takes some of the traffic off that 9 Mile Road bottleneck between NFCU and the existing interchange." Concerned District 5 Residents

"I believe that we all need to flood the chambers tommrrow night if your for it or against it it our community we need to let the BOCC hear from us!" District 1 Resident

Anger Erupts over Navy Federal Credit Union's 9-Mile Road Overpass.....Part I

Angry Beulah Residents are now enraged over this NFCU Overpass--and some are saying they regret  moving here over this proposed initiative and the way it is being steamrolled over them...This is not the way projects should be developed!

"The proposed extension to Nine Mile either over or under for Navy Federal needs to go to the North side sooner, where there are no homes impacted.  The existing proposal has Federal Way coming across Nature Trail property and behind Salt Grass, impacting our quality of life.  The raised Nine Mile (25’) impacts those homes backing up to Nine Mile.  Surely we are a smart enough people that we can come up with a different solution.  The way it is now, DOT and whomever will just TAKE Nature Trails property across the street from the existing exit/entrance on Federal Way to NFCU.  This is something that residents of Nature Trail voted down last year.  We do not want to give up that buffer.  Now, if NFCU or the County wants to buy my home at “fair market value”, great.  Either way, we will be moving as soon as we can to get away from this mess.  We moved into our home Dec 2013…heard about the widening of Nine Mile a few months after that and then heard about the expansion of NFCU.  IF we’d have been informed that these “improvements” were going to happen, we have purchased a home elsewhere."  ---District 1 Constituent

"I just moved here with my husband three months ago...had I known about this issue and that now there is going to be an overpass built on 9-mile road, and even more construction--we would have never bought this house.  Who can I call, who can I write?  I will write the Governor and our state senators because this is not right!"  ---Angry new District 1 Constituent and Beulah Resident

 " my wife [and I]are against this project, to [at] least not taking 60 days to study this project.   Many of those owners will be in the meeting room for Thursday’s BCC Meeting.  Many of them have written their representatives.  Our neighbors along Nine Mile Rd and across all of Beulah also have a vested interest in whether this project, that significantly improves the commutes for NFCU employees who come here and leave here but one time, five days a week but does not do much for the residents.  The residents who drive this road daily who have learned to work around the impact of these NFCU employees on Nine Mile Rd, trying to be good neighbors. This is a 25 ft. high elevated roadway, although some in leadership positions have tried to sell this as an underpass, that will alleviate any benefit that the 15 ft. high Sound Walls provide.  This is a $72,000,000 project that is being fast tracked, steamrolled, through the process without any studies, public meetings or any of the normal process items.  All to benefit NFCU, but have a very large financial impact on the residents

WCOA Radio Interview This Morning: NFCU overpass, ECFR Firing, Bed Tax

Lot's of discussion this morning on WCOA:

--The Navy Federal Credit Union Overpass at 9-Mile Road--and the anger it is generating among residents in the district, and how this sudden initiative has been pushed through to this week's agenda

--The breaking news on ECFR Chief's dismissal

--Discussion of the allowable uses of Bed Tax revenue--in light of the Sunday editorial

Listen to the podcast HERE