The traffic shift for U.S. 98 eastbound traffic (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) to the new Pensacola Bay Bridge is scheduled to begin Sunday evening, Aug. 4 and U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) on Thursday, Aug. 8.
From 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4 to 6 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, 17th Avenue will be closed to through traffic between Gregory Street and the CSX Railroad overpass. Drivers will be detoured using Ninth Avenue and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90). Access to the visitor’s center, boat ramp, and the Pensacola Bay Fishing Pier will be maintained for local traffic via 17th Avenue.
The temporary configuration for the new bridge will provide two lanes of east and two lanes of westbound traffic, along with a center-lane reserved for emergency vehicles. A multiuse path for pedestrians and bicyclists is expected to be operational approximately two months after the traffic shift.
With all traffic shifted to the new bridge, construction crews will demolish the current bridge, complete the new westbound structure, and reconstruct the 17th Avenue interchange. All work is currently estimated for completion in mid-2021.
The planned construction 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.
For more information you may visit the Florida Department of Transportation District Three online at nwflroads.com, follow us on Twitter @MyFDOT_NWFL, or like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/MyFDOTNWFL.