Massive $240 Million Appropriation Coming to Beulah: Interchange is Fully Funded

Channel 3 is reporting today that it is official.  

Rumors had swirled, folks had made mention of it as a possibility....

But today the word is out.   And it is official

The Beulah Interchange is fully funded in this current year's budget and with some shuffling of existing projects from elsewhere in the state and the use of some other funding sources.  

Read the Channel 3 story here

Much more to come on this MASSIVELY Transformational win for the Beulah Community, District 1, and Escambia County in the next several days.  

A ceremonial groundbreaking for this project is tentatively scheduled for late next week and will feature dignitaries from the state as well as members of our local legislative delegation and county officials.

I was asked by PNJ, WEAR, and NorthEscambia for my statement on this epic win, which I will print below:

"The $240 Million Appropriation from the state to fully fund the construction of the Beulah Interchange beginning next year will be an amazing  and transformational project for Beulah, District 1, and Escambia County!  We certainly could not have done it without the steady leadership of Senator Doug Broxson, combined with sustained persistence by the Florida Alabama transportation planning organization as we on that committee kept this project as our number one priority.  Thank you to our legislature, the Governor, and the folks at FDOT for  getting this necessary project funded for Escambia County!"

 

Sorrento Road Improvements Coming--BIG FDOT Project Commencing this December

 At last week's meeting of the Florida/Alabama Transportation Planning Organization, some fairly significant news was shared with the group assembled in Gulf Breeze.

A long awaited project to resurface the state's Sorrento Road from Bauer Road Eastward to Blue Angel Parkway is fully designed, funded, and will be let to a contract this December.  

Currently--this roadway is littered with potholes and uneven pavement.  It has also been the scene of numerous fatal accidents over the last several years.

This project will resurface the road, add paved shoulders, and other improvements.  The larger project to 4-lane this roadway is moving up the priority list---from #18 (where it lingered under a former commissioner) to now being #6 under new district leadership.

Look for much more on this roadway-but in the meantime--take a look at the project details, below.

FDOT Moving Forward with Signalization at Sorrento and Doug Ford Drive

This particular traffic light is being very well-received by the residents with whom I have spoken and made aware of it's impending installation....

Who would've ever thought that a traffic light's installation could bring some much positive energy?

In many instances--a new traffic light brings angst, frustration, and disappointment--especially if it will slow down a commute.

This light is different, though.  This one is being praised by just about everyone that hears it is coming--because it will greatly enhance safety on one of the most dangerous, accident prone roadways in Escambia County--Sorrento Road.

Lately there have been many improvements made on Sorrento--to include rumble strips, blacktop repair, multiple intersection improvements, and freshly-painted lines.  Many of us believe the road needs to be a four lane road, and that project is with the TPO currently and has been bumped way up on the priority list for funding by the state within the last year.

One issue many of the residents of that area have clammored for is a light at the entrance to the Perdido Bay Country Club at Sorrento Road and Doug Ford Drive--the site of much congestion during the peak tourist season and an area where too many wrecks have occurred.

After many years of diligent requests from our office and from the County--the good news came about 6 months ago that this signalized intersection warrant was approved by FDOT.  Last week came word that the project has been designed and is funded and will be added to an existing project being completed on Sorrento Road right now.  The construction of this signal has begun, and will be completed within the next "few months"  according to the email I received last week on this topic, below:

"To All:

 Traffic Operations received the signed and sealed plans last week.  We are currently working with the contactor to incorporate the signal construction into the existing project.  Construction efforts should begin this month, which includes the procurement of the necessary equipment (mast arm, controller, signal cabinet, etc.) and could take a few months.  Please feel free to reach out to Georgina Acierto-Kent...to track the status of the signal installation.

 Thank You,

 Brian Pettis

Traffic Operations

Traffic Services Program Manager"

Trash Dumped along 9-Mile Road--and other Area Roadways--Remains a Chronic Issue

I've been contacted by numerous constituents now about the trash lining the roadways on District 1.  Specific areas include the south side of 9-Mile Road from I-10 to Beulah Road, Mobile Hwy from Hwy 90 to Pine Forest Road, and Sorrento Road and Blue Angel Parkway in the southern portion of D1.

I have called the state's contractor via staff and my office numerous times about the issue--however the problem remains a chronic one.

Several local groups are now voluntarily going out and picking up trash along the roads adjacent to their subdivisions.  I have spoken with county administration and we will provide bags and rubbish "grabbers" for folks willing to do this.  Just contact my office at 850-595-4910 and I will get your contact information to the appropriate staff personnel who can provide these items.

But it is a sad commentary on our area that this continues to be a chronic problem.

I walked the southern side of 9-Mile road from Beulah Road to the I-10 onramp at exit 5.  What I saw was disgusting.  I filmed what I saw on a Facebook Live video along part of the route.  From an email I sent this morning to staff and the state's rubbish collection contractor, Ferrovial Services, this morning:

..on yesterday’s walk I saw full bags of garbage, more than 100 plastic bottles, fast food bags/cups, cardboard, pizza boxes, and beer/soda cans lining the south portion of the roadway by the sidewalk and in the culverts.  I also saw a couch and mattress dumped over the bridge to the banks of the 11 mile creek below.  Additionally—it appears as someone has also thrown large piece of wooden cabinet into the creek. (The north side of the road, directly adjacent to Navy Federal Credit Union’s campus, did not appear to have the same problem and looked clean.  I’m assuming they have their own crews cleaning their side?)

 So that I can be more well-equipped to handle constituent complaints and questions on this issue specifically going forward-can you let me know the following:

1. How frequently your crews clean trash along 9-Mile Road, Mobile Highway, Blue Angel Parkway, and Sorrento Road? (primary D1 roadways the state maintains)
2. Are you the appropriate person/entity to contact for this issue?
3. Are the mowing crews also under your contract?  (I ask because I saw numerous examples of boxes/plastics/signs that appeared to have been “run over” by the mower instead of simply picked up.  This results in “confetti” of trash all over the area which looks even worse.)
4. How soon can your teams of employees clean this area of 9-Mile road specifically?

 Sorry for the length of this email and the direct nature of it.  But what I saw yesterday was, to put it simply, appalling.  I know the state spent millions of dollars creating this four lane road and sidewalks—which the constituents I serve greatly appreciate.  I hate to see it in the state it is in currently"

FDOT Working on Sorrento Road to Implement Immediate Safety Measures

 

We know Sorrento Road in District 1 has major issues.  Lots of wrecks, lots of fatalities. Lots of problems.

We've been talking about it, and the media has covered it.  Folks in FDOT have been hearing about it, as has the TPO.  

Next month the TPO will vote on the prioritization of multiple projects, and I believe with the outpouring of community concern that has been coming regarding Sorrento--that the project to widen Sorrento to 4-lanes from Blue Angel Pkwy to the Theo Baars bridge will make a major leap upwards on the list (where it currently languishes at #18).

Meanwhile, I've now heard from State Representative, Dist. 2, Alex Andrade on a host of issues FDOT is taking on right now to improve safety on Sorrento Road immediately.  Rep.  Andrade has been extremely supportive and helpful on the issue --for which I'm very appreciative.  According to Andrade:

"the following is a quick mention of the improvements along Sorento Road. These improvements and added safety features represent the  efforts underway. There are more features coming in the interim until we can provide the long term features as the projects make their way through the resurfacing program. Also we will continue to monitor the corridor for additional improvements and possible safety enhancements.

•             Construction underway for resurfacing of Sorrento Rd from Theo Baars Bridge to South of CR 293 (Bauer Rd).

            Resurfacing the pavement and upgraded signing and pavement markings

            Construction of a southbound left turn lane at Choctaw

            Construction of paved shoulders as needed

            Reconstruction of the Canal Dr. intersection at SR 292 (Perdido Key Drive)

             Adding keyhole bike lanes at the existing westbound right turn lanes near the Dollar General and in front of the Perdido Bay Baptist Church and Merlin Ave.

             Extension of the newly constructed left turn lane from Innerarity Point Road to the existing three lane section at Iaca Ave. as well as the extension of the existing right turn lane at Innerarity Point Rd.

            Adding audible and vibratory pavement markings on outside edge line and centerline.

•             Construction underway for intersection improvement at SR 292 Sorrento Rd and CR 293 (Bauer Rd.) to construct an eastbound right turn lane, northbound right turn lane, and extend the westbound right turn lane and westbound left turn lane.  New pedestrian crosswalks with pedestrian signals are also included.

•             We are closely monitoring Doug Ford Rd. and have an ongoing speed study in this area.  The speed study is nearing completion.

•             Construction underway for turn lane improvements at the intersection of SR 292 Sorrento at CR 292A Innerarity Point Intersection.  This project will add a southbound left turn lane, eastbound right turn lane, and extended the westbound left turn lane. Intersection lighting was also included. Construction is estimated to be complete in the near future.

•             SR 292 Sorrento Rd/ Gulf Beach Hwy from CR 293 to CR 292A is currently being considered as a candidate resurfacing project for design in FY 24 and construction in FY 26.  Additional safety improvements will be considered during design of the resurfacing.

•             The Department is conducting immediate safety improvements to install outside and centerline vibratory and audible pavement makings as well as speed feedback signs between Bauer Rd and Blue Angel Pkwy; set to begin in August. 

•             Left turn lane on Sorrento Rd at Nighthawk Ln is currently in construction."

How YOU Can Help the State DOT Properly Prioritize 4-Lanes for Sorrento Road

 

We need citizens to speak to the state via their (FDOT's) online survey which is open until the end of July.  If you think Sorrento Road needs four lanes, massive FHP patrol increases, and safety enhancements--please join me in telling this to FDOT.   See the link to do so in this post, below.

It really comes down to the citizens on this one.

The old adage is true--the squeaky wheel gets the oil.

Sorrento Road had a planned 4-lane project PD&E years ago that was summarily cancelled in early 2015 after the D2 commission race that year led to a new commissioner coming into the seat with different priorities.  Elections have consequences.

4-lanes on Perdido Key drive died after that.  Dead and buried, and so did the PD&E and project to 4-lane Sorrento Road.  That's the undisputable fact of reality that occurred and it has been a problem ever since.

Meanwhile, the crosses keep multiplying on Sorrento Road--another death just this past Monday.  I spoke to Channel 3 about it yesterday evening, I spoke at last week's TPO about it, and I've been banging the drum about Sorrento Road ever since re-districting--it was a prominantly-featured discussion point at my Perdido Key townhall.  Still, this Sorrento Road state project languishes at number 19 on FDOT's priority list locally.

This road has had 86 crashes and multiple fatalities over just the last 15 month period!  I wonder how many of those could have been avoided if the 4-lane project wasn't halted 7 years ago?  We will never know.  Meanwhile, the wrecks keep happening and people keep dying.

Now, the FDOT is doing a big project from the Baars bridge to Bauer Road.  Good--this is desperately needed and will help.  Bravo!  

But the stretch from Blue Angel to Bauer is where the deaths are happening and the bad head on collissions.  That stretch desperately needs attention.

We need more FHP (state road should have a massive influx of STATE troopers patrolling it)

We need wider lanes, 4-lanes, paved and level shoulders, rumble strips, some sort of barrier between the lanes perhaps? , and more lighting.  There is plenty of ROW (right of way) to make these improvements---the state just needs to do it and stop can-kicking.  That's my opinion.  They know this roadway has potholes, problems, and yes--lots of fatalities.

Yes--I know, I know.  A lot (if not the majority) of the wrecks are caused by impatient, careless, reckless or impaired drives.  Yes, I know.  But these sorts of folks are driving all our local roadways---yet the deaths are stacking up at a higher rate on SORRENTO ROAD---meaning there is an issue with the road moreso than just chalking it up to bad drivers.

SO HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP!

The state has an online survey up through the end of July.  It will be used to help the state and the TPO prioritize local state roadways like Sorrento Road.  It can be accessed here.  Take the survey, make your voice heard, and tell the state to do more to make Sorrento Road safer.  The survey literally takes 3 minutes to complete.  But here is the key: At the end of the survey there is a fill-in the blank box that states, literally, "Please share any additional transportation concerns below" I'd encourage citizens to write in that box something akin to the following: "Sorrento Road from Blue Angel Pkwy to the Baars Bridge is dangerous and needs state attention immediately--as there have been 86 accidents in just over a year's time.  It needs to be four laned, with shoulders, lights, rumble strips, and a barrier between the East and West bound lanes ---particularly on the stretch between Blue Angel Parkway and Bauer Roae---to prevent any more head on fatalities.  Also, this road needs a massive state police FHP operation and ongoing, enhanced patrols, to cite careless drivers!"   (or something like that)

If they hear from enough citizens--they will move and this project will get bumped up.

If everyone, collectively, shrugs their shoulders---nothing will happen and the crosses will continue to multiply and line the side of this dangerous state roadway we all drive upon to get to the beach at Perdido Key.

Help me get their attention, please!

We Need the Public's Help to Fix Sorrento Road---Here's How YOU can Help Us! Part I

There is an upcoming project priorities public workshop online at which time the public can press the state to move the project to 4-lane Sorrento Road forward.  But we need the public's help to make this happen.  Will you attend and lend your voice to this effort? 5-11-2022 at 2:00 PM Online......

Because I have served on the Florida Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) for more than 5 years- once year as Chairman,  I know all too well the issues and challenges of Sorrento Road.  I have driven it many, many times over the years---going all the way back to when I got my first car in 1984.

Others know it's dangerous, too.

After my first blog post on this topic on April 18th, local news outlets investigated.  In a series of published media reports that followed-----the issues with Sorrento were spotlighted. Sorrento Road is such a dangerous roadway--it has tallied up an incredible 85 traffic collissions over the last 15 months according to the PNJ's report.  Including multiple fatalities.

It is a narrow, dark road where folks speed between Perdido Key and West Pensacola/Pensacola--and sadly this roadway has seen far too many fatalities.  White crosses signifying the loss of loved ones dot the side of this roadway.

Something has to get done, this has to be fixed.  But why has this not happened sooner?

The state had a plan to 4-lane this roadway--as a part of a larger plan to 4-lane Perdido Key Drive, Sorrento, portions of Blue Angel Parkway and other roadways to create an alternate West to East 4-lane hurricane evacuation route out of Escambia County. but the inertia to make it happen evanesced in 2014-2015 after the departure of Assistant County Administrator Larry Newsome and the former commissioner in D2.  Sorrento got lost in the death of that project and subsequently  languished far down the list of TPO priorities.

Since that time,  the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organizations has prioritized other projects ahead of Sorrento.  

But now is the time for the citizens that drive this road to make their voices heard.  The TPO will be holding a series of public input sessions to receive citizen suggestions as to what the prioritization of Sorrento Road should be.  This is where YOU, the citizen, comes in.  We need,  no,   I NEED--your voice to be heard on Sorrento Road if you feel the state need to make it a higher priority than number 18 on the list.  Without a higher prioritization this road will not be 4-laned.

So those that are passionate about Sorrento road can attend one or all of the following workshops and speak on the topic of Sorrento Road.  Next Week's meeting will be online.  Scroll to the bottom of this

Massive $1.45 Million Sidewalk Project through the Heart of Bellview in District 1 Commences February 28th!

The caption from the front page of the plans, above,  shows the project's path along Saufley Field road in Bellview

A massive state-funded sidewalk and drainage project will be kicking off in District 1 on Monday, February 28th.  

This project will be constructed by Chavers Construction, Inc., and will include 5-foot sidewalks (north and south side of the road) and some drainage enhancements all along Saufley Field Road from the entrance gate of NAS Pensacola special area Saufley field over past Mobile Hwy to Denver Avenue.

The 7-month, $1.45 Million  project should be completed by October 1st if all goes according to plan.

This large sidewalk project will be connected to several currently-underway county sidewalk projects along the side streets and roads connecting to Saufley Field Road.

This will be a fantastic enhancement to the heart of District 1 in Bellview!

Typical section of the project--showing the 5-foot sidewalks on both the north and south side of Saufley Field road from Saufley Field over to Denver Avenue east of Mobile Hwy.

FDOT Completes the 9-Mile Road and US 29 Corridor Improvement Project

 .......And they have put out a nice video which summarizes the work that has been completed as a result of this $100 Million Dollar state project.

Is it the Road's Fault?

We are nearing completion of the 4-lane project for 9-Mile road in Beulah.  Some residents have noticed some issues....But overall the project is a vast improvement over where we were 5 years ago!

It's now been about a month, give or take a day or two,  since all four lanes of 9-Mile Road from Exit 5 to Beulah road have been opened up to traffic.  The project is not yet totally completed, as there are landscaping and striping and some other resurfacing activities that will be happening---but the majority of the project and the biggest positive benefit ---the 4 lanes being open---have happened.

For the most part and from the best I can tell---- the reception has been very good.  I know I love it as it definitely has made my commute easier and the traffic less significant in the morning and afternoon particularly.

--Even at 5:00 on a weekday---the traffic exiting from I-10 headed west onto exit 5 from the afternoon comute is no longer baking cars up dangerously onto the shoulder of I-10 eastward one mile back toward Pine Forest Road.  That, is a GREAT thing.

--Traffic is moving the two miles or so between exit 5 and Beulah road very fluidly in the afternoons

--Traffic going Eastbound on 9 Mile Road in the mornings from Beulah Road to exit 5 is moving very smoothly as well.

But there are some kinks some have reported to me and that I have noticed that can hopefully be worked out as we move toward completing this project:

--The timing of the signals at Heritage Oaks and Navy Federal Way are not optimized--(e.g. they apparently run all weekend on the same pattern as the weekday--even though NFCU employees, by and large, are not as big of a presence on the weekends.  One resident has asked:  "Why can't we make those signals flashing "yellow" for the 48 hours of the weekend going east and west on 9-mile when hardly any traffic is coming out of the NFCU campus;  give the outgoing cars a flashing "red" on Navy Federal Way and Heritage Oaks?  Sounds reasonable to me.

--The barrels at Beulah Road and 9 Mile create what to some motorists appears to be a view hazard or blind spot.  Four days ago, a sedan pulled out in front of a motorcycle at that very spot and there was a

On WCOA's Good Morning Pensacola Today talking Debris Removal from Private Subdivisions

I was on WCOA's Good Morning Pensacola today discussing the FDOT bridge debacle and debris pickup from gated, private neighborhoods.

I was asked to speak today on WCOA's Good Morning Pensacola radio program with Don Parker, and so I happily agreed.

We had a good conversation about the thorny issue of picking up Hurricane Sally debris from all around the county AND the difficulty facing our efforts to pick up from some private subdivisions due to Federal red-tape.

I discussed this issue with WEAR ABC Ch. 3 yesterday.

We also talked about the ongoing saga of the FDOT's contractor's  barges trashing our three-mile bridge--creating an absolute nightmare in our two county area.

You can listen to the segment from today's show here

What are the Reasons Given for the Delay in Completion of the 9-Mile Road 4-Lane Project?

The segment of the 9-mile road project in Beulah between exit 5 and Beulah Road is more than 24 months behind schedule and $6.5 Million over budget.  Apparently, I'm not supposed to be upset about this though---even as I see bright sunny 3-day weekends go by where no work is being done on the site....

Yesterday morning at the Florida Alabama Transportation Planning Organization Meeting I was able to ask representatives of the Florida Department of Transportation about the agonizingly slow progress on completing the 4-lane upgrade of 9-Mile Road in Beulah.

Folks out here that I represent are angry.  And that is putting it politely.

Citizens subjected to this agonizingly slow project and road intersections that are so out of level it is damaging vehicles are fed up.  They are coming to me with angry complaints--but I'm hearing now that I am "coming on too strong" by blogging about this and putting FDOT on the defensive.

My constituents don't care though.  They want answers!

They want to know what I want to know:  Why is this project so badly behind schedule and over budget?

I asked, and here are the initial answers given by FDOT representatives at the TPO in Gulf Breeze yesterday.  These FDOT folks were present and knew my questions would be coming due to media coverage of my blog post from Monday on this topic.

Bryant Paulk, of FDOT, described four major issues/changes that the contractor has been awarded on this segment of the project which have led to the completion deadline slipping.  I have requested, through the executive director of the TPO Austin Mount, to meet with the new FDOT District 3 Director as soon as possible to discuss these issues and get more specific details, and that meeting will take place sometime within the next few weeks I am told.

So here's what's going on according to FDOT yesterday---four major contract change orders, over 1000 additional contract days, have been awarded by FDOT to their contractor on this job:

1.) Change order one was for more and larger noise walls along the side of the project adjacent to Nature Trail Subdivision, at an additional cost of $400K via an addition of 110 contract completion days.

2.) Due to the increase in traffic on the corridor--the contractor was awarded a $2.3 Million Dollar change order and an additional 325 days for completion

3.) To speed up just the first portion of this segment to have the 4-lanes complete between exit 5 and NFCU way--an acceleration award to the contractor was made in the amount of $1.4 Million

4.)  Cistern Leaching over a section of the segment resulted in additional contract completion days and a $1.1 Million dollar addition to the contract.

According to Mr. Paulk--a total of 1,089 additional contract completion days have been added to the contract since it was commenced in 2016.  During the discussion, Mr. Paulk indicated that the initial completion was slated for late 2018---before the addition of the additional contract days for weather and holidays.  He stated that the project is now expected to be completed by May of 2021 and as of right now it is $6.5 Million over budget.

So in my meeting that will be scheduled soon, I will request much more information on these delays and the specifics of the change orders, and I will post what I learn here.

Look--I get it. FDOT is not happy this is over budget and behind schedule.  They want it done ASAP just as we do--just as I do.

The difference is--they are comfortably distanced away from this project unlike me and my constituents who have to navigate this nightmare multiple times daily.  And they also seem quite happy to defend the reasons why this is so badly behind and even seamlessly double-down on how these delays and cost-overages are "normal" and just "part of doing business."  

That's where our agreement ends. This project is an absolute, unmitigated disaster.  

So  I'll be asking for the information and rationale for why they feel this project and these cost overruns and delays are acceptable--because I think it is unacceptable and most of my constituents do as well.

What's Driving the Push for 6-Lanes on 9-Mile Road Now When the Current Project is 2 Years Behind Schedule?

So we see in this morning's PNJ an article outlining FDOT's apparently new push for something "they" think is important:  creating a 6-lane road out of what will within the next year or so (finally) be a 4-lane Nine-Mile Road.

But there are a couple of issues with this....

First---how about we address the 9000 pound elephant in the room FDOT?!?  Why the hell is the current project so badly over-budget and behind schedule?  That is the question residents I represent want to know!!  This entire weekend was brilliant, bright sunshine and no rain---yet I saw NOT ONE worker on 9-Mile road between Mobile Hwy and Exit 5 working.  Why not?  I mean, this project is tracking to be nearly 24 months behind schedule---residents that I represent want to know why this FDOT project is not a 24 hour a day, weekends and nights, priority for completion?  I want to know this too, so I will be asking  this question SPECIFICALLY at the TPO meeting we will be having this Wednesday.

Seriously.  People are pissed off that an entire grocery store (Publix at 9-Mile Road) can be built in less time than it is taking a half mile of two lane road.  Heck, folks are seeing quicker per mile construction over water on the Three Mile Bridge than what they are witnessing on this flat 9-Mile road project through Beulah. This agonizingly, astonishingly slow pace that is suddenly, apparently the new normal is apparently just peachy with FDOT.  I'm going to ask about this SPECIFICALLY as well on Wednesday.

So with this as the backdrop---why are we even talking about making 6-lanes on this road NOW??  Who is pushing this?  Did an outlandish, expensive ($74 million), and inefficient "special interest" idea get laughed out of a room full of Tallahassee deciders a few months back, and is this the "new" project this special interest group now is pushing?  Gosh I hope this is not the new "we gotta have this" project because there are MUCH MORE important projects that need to come first that will have greater impact on the issues out here than talking about 6-Lanes through Beulah.  I have my suspicions, more on that after I get more information from sources familiar this week in the lead up to the TPO meeting.

But in the meantime, if I might be so audacious and bold as to actually describe what is important to folks out here that actually live and drive here:

#1----FIX the interstate and exit five to 2 LANES NOW, add a dedicated turn lane on the West Bound I-10 Shoulder IMMEDIATELY from Pine Forest Road for one mile to exit 5, as currently the cars are stacking up this distance on the shoulder and some drivers needing to get off on exit 5 are actually slowing down and stopping on the freeway in feeble and frantic efforts to merge at the last minute at exit 5.  This is going to lead to a catastrophe if it is not corrected IMMEDIATELY!!  I Know this is a Federal Roadway---but let's get them engaged and get this done before people die!!!!!

#2.  FDOT, for the love of God, MAKE YOUR CONTRACTOR FINISH THIS CURRENT 4-LANE PROJECT IN BEULAH BETWEEN EXIT 5 AND MOBILE HWY.  ENOUGH IS ENOUGH WITH THREE DAY NO WORK WEEKENDS AND LAME EXCUSES WHEN THIS PROJECT IS TRACKING 24 MONTHS BEHIND!!!

#3.  Get moving on the Beulah Interchange project!!  It is elementary to those that live here--even if we are not traffic specialists like you all:  If you pull HALF the Beulah traffic off of 9-Mile Road north to Isaacs lane and what will eventually be our interchange there----this lightens the traffic load on the heavily-congested portion of 9-Mile Road through Beulah on 9-Mile Road in front of NFCU. Hello?!?   Duh??

I am going to start to become RELENTLESS on the ridiculousness of some of what I am seeing with FDOT on this stuff.  Enough is enough with the ridiculousness and fecklessness FDOT!!

What Happened Yesterday Morning on 9-Mile Road?

A signalization malfunction led to unnecessary gridlock during the morning commute on 9-Mile Road this week.  The state's contractor has addressed and corrected the malfunction.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week there was something amiss on 9-Mile Road which was causing a backup all the way down 9-Mile Road to the west as far as Leisure Lakes RV park.

Friday morning it came to a head as folks could not even exit their subdivisions to make a right hand turn onto 9-Mile Road to head toward the interstate.



The choke point was the light at Heritage Oaks and Saltgrass.  It was improperly holding East and West-bound traffic due to a malfunctioning sensor on the smart grid software that was holding the green light north and south between Heritage Oaks and Saltgrass--even when cars were not at that light..  I notified staff and asked for immediate attention to the matter.

This condition was infuriating to drivers but the situation has been addressed as of Friday--and the lights are once again functioning properly.  From an email string resolving this malfunction from yesterday afternoon:

"For an unknown reason Gridsmart detection is activating at the side street, Saltgrass Drive, and no vehicle is present.  Operationally, Nine Mile Road and Heritage Oaks will have a red light and no one will be leaving Saltgrass Drive.  The light for Saltgrass will be green for 10 seconds.  This is an issue that does not normally occur...I have monitored for the past couple hours and it appears to be working.  I sent Gridsmart and Ingram the Diagnostic logs"

Thanks go out to the County's engineering staff and FDOT's signalization contractor for getting the situation resolved.

ABOUT THE STATE DOT's  9-MILE ROAD WIDENING PROJECT....

The section of FDOT's 9-Mile Road from I-10 to Beulah Road project was slated for completion by the end of this month--however the state has recently informed us all that unfortunately once again a completion timeframe has slipped and that now this segment from Navy Federal Way to Beulah Road will be done by "Late Summer" 2020.  I know this has been a nightmare, but I want all citizens to know we have been pushing this project, to get it done.  The county, NFCU, the state--all of us.  Pushing.  Unfortunately it is just dragging on and on and the completion date has slipped again.

But it is coming, and once complete it will GREATLY assist in the traffic flow east and west through Beulah.  And looking forward-once we complete the PD&E study for the Beulah Interchange, we will begin pressing hard for that project to get construction funding in the state's FDOT 5-year work program.  That project, once completed, will reduce East-West traffic on 9-mile road in Beulah by as much as 40%----as the Western portion of Beulah will have a closer option for accessing I-10 and thereby bypassing the NFCU campus and whatever is ultimately developed on the county's OLF 8 site.

I-10 Pine Forest Road Interchange Re-Work Could Solve Wilde Lake Blvd Issues

An attractive component of FDOT's plan to reconfigure the I-10/Pine Forest Road interchange in Escambia County will be that it also fixes the very dysfunctional and dangerous intersection at Wilde Lake Blvd and Pine Forest Road in District 1

Yesterday evening there was a well-attended, very informative FDOT meeting held in District 1.  It was hosted by Pine Forest United Methodist Church on Wilde Lake Blvd.---and there were about 100 citizens in attendance.

The primary reason for the meeting was to present the public with some preliminary plans for adding two more traffic lanes to I-10 from the Alabama state line to Hwy 29 in Escambia County.  Plans for the re-configuration of the interchanges at Pine Forest Road and I-10 as well as the interchange at exit 5 and I-10 were also presented to the folks in attendance.

Staff from FDOT were available to answer specific questions, static displays were presented, a mock-up of a diverging diamond interchange was set up, and a series of videos were shown explaining what a Diverging Diamond Interchange is and how it functions  (these are the types of interchanges contemplated for the Pine Forest and Exit 5 reconfigurations as a part of the project).  You can see the video explaining how these interchanges function from the Federal Highway Administration here .

Those who wish to view the materials presented but who were unable to attend can access the handouts here and find more information about the safety features of these innovative designs here.

Currently, this project is not scheduled for construction and no funding has been identified for construction.  This project is currently in the Project Development and Environment study phase--which is a necessary step that must be concluded before a project can move forward.

I am excited about this project, even though it is one that will not be completed for several years.

An attractive component of FDOT's plan to reconfigure the I-10/Pine Forest Road interchange in Escambia County will be that it also fixes the very dysfunctional and dangerous intersection at Wilde Lake Blvd and Pine Forest Road in District 1

And one of the things that is especially attractive about this project (as displayed in the picture above) is that once the new interchange is designed at Pine Forest and I-10----the intersection of Wilde Lake and Pine Forest road will also be re-configured to much more effectively flush traffic--and this will also greatly improve safety at this intersection.

I look forward to watching this project progress, and the next public meeting on this project will happen early in 2021.

This Picture Would Have Been Very Helpful..................Yesterday When FDOT's Press Release Dropped

Apparently, according to a news bulletin put out late yesterday and this article in the PNJ--Westbound access to 9-Mile Road from exit 5 (Beulah) will be closed for construction for up to the next 3 Months.

At least that's what this press release, below, intimates.

If such a plan would have in any way affected travellers heading westbound on I-10 exiting on exit 5 and intending to travel west on 9-Mile Road toward Beulah----such a plan would have been a disaster of epic proportion.

Unfortunately--the late afternoon news release without a map was not clear to many readers.

After emailing the entire world this morning and asking for clarification--I received the below diagram

Illustrating what is actually going to be closed.  If this is what is going to be modified, the impacts will be a lot less severe.   A lot less severe.....

Too bad they didn't add this picture with yesterday's press release.... a lot of folks would not have gone through a lot of stress and anxiety.

Glad to see there will be no diminution of the traffic exiting from I-10 Westbound on to Exit 5 (Heading up the hill to Beulah and NFCU's Campus)

Beulah 9-Mile Road Lane Shift Delayed by One Day Due to Inclement Weather

This email was sent out today from project management regarding the planned lane shift on 9-Mile Road that had been planned for today....

Due to wet conditions on the pavement, saturated raw materials for asphalt, and the high potential for thunderstorms tonight the planned shift has been moved to tomorrow night PENDING WEATHER. We don’t want/need  to get partially through the shift and get into a situation where we cannot place the striping at the transitions or complete the pavement necessary at Security Place to tie to the new roadway (can’t be done until traffic is off the existing roadway).

Michael Lenga

Project Administrator

Radiation Safety Officer

Stantec

8130 Pittman Ave.

Pensacola, FL 32534

Why the Beulah Road -Perdido Key Drive Road Swap Makes Sense

The Beulah area, District 1 and a portion north of Beulah in District 5, and constituents throughout the West-Northwest portion of Escambia County will greatly benefit from the road swap between FDOT and the County where we take Perdido Key Drive and give Beulah Road to FDOT .  That is why I believe it will be a unanimous vote to complete this deal on September 5th...

On September 5th, a week from this Thursday, the BCC will likely vote to accept a state road from FDOT (Perdido Key Drive) and to give a county road to FDOT (Beulah Road from Mobile Hwy up through Isaacs lane to the Interstate.

There are passionate feelings on this issue--but at the outset I will point out that my counterparts on the board voted unanimously, via a straw poll at our last workshop, to do this deal.  That's number 1.

Number 2 is elections have consequences. 

District 2 Commissioner Doug Underhill wants the swap, and he wants the Perdido Key Master Plan implemented and he strongly believes this road swap will help make this happen--in addition to making additional pedestrian safety enhancements out on Perdido Key which he believes this swap will facilitate.  He also was assured that the funding for the multi-use path out there would not be yanked.  So to him, in his opinion, this is a good deal.  And he represents the Key and he won his election.

Number 3 is perspective.  From my perspective, having lived in Beulah for the last 15 years, it is time to make Beulah road a state road.  With all the growth out here, Beulah road is quickly becoming a major artery.  And this road swap, most importantly, KEEPS THE MOMENTUM moving forward for the Beulah Interchange to happen.  This is the county's #1 infrastructure issue, hands down, in the near term.  And it is essential that this project keep progressing forward.

But here is the really key, critical reason why this swap is such a good deal for the taxpayers of Escambia County:  The section of Beulah Road from 9-Mile Road northward through Isaacs lane to where the interchange will be constructed will need to be upgraded and converted into a 4-lane road.  The plans have been drawn up and the estimate from Atkins (6 years ago) was that this would have cost the County $14 Million---just for this portion.  Now that it is a state road, (after the swap)---the state, NOT the county--will pay for this.

District 5 commissioner Steve Barry also expressed support for this project at our workshop--as he believes this keeps the momentum moving to improve roadway infrastructure up through D5 and the Sector Plan areas if we do the swap.

So there are really financially compelling reasons why this deal works. 

Regardless, I know some residents are not happy for one reason or another.

But decisions must be made in the interests of the maximum number of constituents, and in this instance that means the entire county and all districts.

Perdido Key Drive has been freshly resurfaced by the state, it is a road that is in good shape as we take it, and if it is damaged in a hurricane----if that happens----it will be fixed.  We will do it if that happens.

And now the State----NOT the COUNTY--will be on the hook for the potentially tens of millions of dollars necessary to 4-lane Beulah road as we move the interchange project forward. 

So when all things are considered, this deal simply makes great sense for all of Escambia County.

9-Mile Road Lane Shift in Beulah is Coming Monday

This coming Monday morning, the traffic on 9-Mile Road in Beulah will shift as depicted above....

Beginning this Monday, the switch to the south side of the recently painted and striped 9-Mile Road section from Leisure Lakes to just before the 11-Mile Creek Bridge will occur.

This change will allow crews to begin repaving and re striping work on the currently-utilized north half of what will eventually be the 2 westbound lanes of 9-Mile Road.

In speaking with NFCU leadership, this change may represent a significant challenge as the deceleration lane leading into the campus will no longer be accessible under this temporary configuration--which may have the effect of backing traffic up further to the east on 9-Mile road than what is currently happening.  So although this shift is temporary--it will exacerbate the existing traffic bottleneck in this area, particularly during morning and evening rush hour.

I want constituents to be aware of this change so that they can make alternative route decisions if they so choose.  This shift is scheduled for THIS COMING MONDAY NIGHT--August 26th.

The latest information I have heard is that the 4-lanes will be complete between exit 5 and the NFCU campus main entrance by this November, and 4 complete lanes all the way to Beulah Road by March of next year.

The Latest from FDOT on Segment 6 (Beulah Rd. to I-10) of the Project to 4-Lane 9-Mile Road

Although we all wanted it completed earlier--the Beulah portion of the 4-lane project on 9-mile road will be completed this year!

Many folks in Beulah have been asking about the lack of progress on the project to 4-lane 9-Mile Road from Beulah Road over to Interstate 10.

I know the completion date has slipped due to numerous factors--but folks want to know what's up with this project so I asked FDOT for an up-to-the minute update and status of where we are, and I will cut and paste it below for folks who want to read it all.

But the good news is this:  Segment 6 (from Beulah Road to the Interstate--where all the gridlock is for us Beulah residents) is slated to be done this year, in late 2019.

This is fantastic news because I heard persistent rumors that it would not be complete until as late as August, 2020.

But I confirmed, today, that the Beulah portion will be 4 lanes and open to traffic by the end of this year.

From the report:

"CONTRACT E3O54

Financial Project ID (FIN): 218605-6-52-01; Road Construction Project from a point just west of Beulah Road to Below Interstate 10

FIN: 218605-7-52-01; Road Construction Project from Below Interstate 10 to a point just west of Surrey Drive (west of Pine Forest Road)

FIN: 218605-6-56-01; Utility Construction Project (relocate ECUA water and sewer mains and services) from a point just west of Beulah Road to Below Interstate 10

FIN: 218605-7-56-01; Utility Construction Project (relocate ECUA water and sewer mains and services) from Below Interstate 10 to just west of Surrey Drive (west of Pine Forest Road)

Contract time began: 3/31/16

Design began: 3/31/16

Released for Construction Plans stamped: 2/1/17

Revision #1 stamped: 3/8/17

Revision #2 stamped: 4/14/17

Revision #3 stamped: 4/25/17

Revision #4 stamped: 5/3/17

Revision #5 stamped: 7/3/18

Revision #6 stamped: 8/17/18

Revision #7 stamped: 12/26/18

Revision #8 stamped 12/7/18

Both Utility Projects FIN 218605-6-56-01 and FIN 218605-7-56-01 were completed in May 2017. The relocation of the utilities was necessary to begin the road construction. Please note that clearing and grubbing operations began in September of 2016 to advance the utility relocation projects.

Storm water drainage, unsuitable soils removal and bridge construction began in February 2017. Bridge construction was completed in November 2017.

On October 3, 2017 the Contractor implemented their Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) plan and closed the inside lanes in the existing four (4) lane section to begin construction of work beneath Interstate 10 (I-10). Due to the volume of traffic on westbound Nine Mile Rd. and exiting westbound I-10 traffic backed-up past Pine Forest Road (on Nine Mile Road and on I-10). To mitigate traffic backing up onto westbound I-10 as well as Nine Mile Road the Department directed the Contractor to remove the MOT and reopen the lanes. This started the delay to the critical path. The Contractor was directed to redesign the MOT to maintain the two (2) westbound lanes on Nine Mile Road. As the Engineers worked to modify the MOT they discovered that the limited right of way would not allow them to design a plan that would maintain both westbound lanes and allow for the lowering and increase in elevation/grade. There are specific requirements for slopes, drop-off, barrier wall, and work space. There was not enough space to meet the requirements. It was determined that a full redesign of the roadway was necessary to maintain the existing two (2) lanes. During this redesign the critical path was stopped. Crews scheduled to work were redirected to other projects and some crews were allocated to work on the roadway section between Beulah Road and Eleven Mile Creek. 

Revisions #5 was received and stamped 7/3/18 and crews were able to return to work on items that have not changes as we negotiated the cost of the changes. This delayed the project over 190 days. During the negotiations the costs were much higher than anticipated and additional redesign was needed to try to get the cost to a more reasonable limit. Revision #8 was stamped 12/7/18 and we anticipate completing the negotiations for the changes this week.

The Projects had weather that significantly impacted the work. Weather does not just affect the project for the day it rains, the impact can extend for days due to the wet conditions of the soils and lime rock base. Each lift of soil, subgrade, base, etc. must meet specific material requirements and densities. These densities are heavily dependent on the moisture content of the materials. The Segment 6 Project (FIN 218605-6-52-01) is impacted more due to the water table being so close to the surface of the ground and the poor quality of the existing soils and its ability to perk water.

The project schedule was also impacted by legal issues related to right of way takings. Several properties remain open under Stipulated Orders of Taking. Impacts from these Orders have impacted the roadway design and construction between the Eleven Mile Creek and the Interstate. In late July 2018 the access design was approved by the legal team. The approved design caused a significant amount of re-work of some buried utilities before the construction could begin. This was completed in January 2019.

The Contract’s Critical path was delayed 190 days for the redesign (identified above), 316 days due