Escambia County sent out a press release touting its investment in improvements and maintenance on Pensacola Beach.
“We’ve invested heavily over the past several years into making improvements throughout the county, and Pensacola Beach is no exception,” Escambia County Administrator Wes Moreno said.
“Whether it’s through pedestrian improvements to make Pensacola Beach more walkable, public safety investments, beautification projects, or one of the many other projects on Pensacola Beach, we have worked hard to noticeably improve the overall beach experience for both residents and visitors.”
Several Pensacola Beach projects were paid for through Local Option Sales Tax funding, including:
- Beach Renourishment
- Quietwater Beach Landing
- Pensacola Beach Master Plan Drainage Projects/Road and Drainage Improvements
- Pensacola Beach Public Restrooms
- Pensacola Beach Congestion Management Plan/Lane Widening and Congestion Improvements
Escambia County has also worked with FEMA to move forward with numerous Hurricane Sally repairs on Pensacola Beach, including ongoing repairs to the Casino Beach Fishing Pier and the iconic Pensacola Beach sailfish sign completed in 2023.
Through the Pensacola Beach Congestion Management Plan, Escambia County evaluated road improvements and options for improving traffic flow throughout the beach. The county completed the Pensacola Beach Access Road and added a longer right turn lane on Pensacola Beach Boulevard for drivers turning right onto Fort Pickens Road.
Many Pensacola Beach facilities have also been repainted to create consistency and improve aesthetics on the beach, including restrooms and pavilions at Casino Beach, Park East, Park West, and Quietwater Beach. Additionally, new playgrounds were added at Park West and Quietwater Beach.
One upcoming project will add changing rooms in front of the public restrooms at Casino Beach, providing additional space for beachgoers, especially families with young children. Pending approval from the state, the project is expected to begin later this year.
Construction also has started on Americans with Disabilities Act improvements at the intersection of Via De Luna Drive and Fort Pickens Road. The project includes resurfacing and reconstructing the intersection to bring curb ramps and crosswalks up to current ADA standards. Immediately following this project, crews will resurface the southbound lanes of Pensacola Beach Boulevard from the Bob Sikes Bridge Toll Booth southward for approximately half a mile.
Escambia County has also replaced several beach walkovers to improve beach access, most recently replacing Pensacola Beach Dune Walkover 27C near Portofino.
Additional projects completed include:
- Bob Sikes Bridge Rehabilitation
- Bob Sikes Fishing Pier Slope Restoration
- Pensacola Beach – Portofino / CR 399 Traffic Calming & Landscaping
- Pensacola Beach Traffic Capacity Improvements
To view a complete list of projects in Escambia County, visit MyEscambia.com/projects.
