Escambia County has unveiled an ambitious plan to revitalize South Navy Boulevard, focusing on the one-mile stretch connecting Barrancas Avenue to the Sam A. Lovelace Bridge. The 12-month improvement initiative aims to modernize the gateway to Naval Air Station Pensacola.
The project brings together Escambia County, NAS Pensacola, the Florida Department of Transportation, and the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization through the Emerald Coast Regional Council. Their collaborative effort will address long-standing concerns about safety, accessibility, and aesthetic appeal along this vital corridor.
District 2 Commissioner Mike Kohler emphasized the project’s significance, noting the boulevard’s role as a critical link between NAS Pensacola and the broader community.
- He said, “This improvement plan provides an opportunity to enhance safety and mobility, honor the area’s historical significance, and ensure it meets the needs of future generations.”
KEY ELEMENTS
The initiative will roll out in phases, beginning with comprehensive data collection and analysis. Public workshops will gather community input to shape potential roadway concepts. The final recommendations will encompass several key improvements:
- enhanced mobility solutions for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists;
- upgraded lighting systems;
- strategic landscaping; and
- redesigned access points to improve traffic safety.
By focusing on these elements, the project aims to create a more welcoming and functional corridor that serves multiple purposes – from supporting military operations to enhancing local business accessibility. The improvements will particularly benefit the daily commutes of military personnel while creating a more attractive gateway for visitors.
The project, scheduled for completion in August 2025, represents a significant step in modernizing Pensacola’s infrastructure while honoring its military heritage. Through careful planning and community engagement, the initiative promises to deliver lasting improvements that will benefit both current users and future generations.
PROJECT HISTORY
Beginning with the construction of the Pensacola Navy Yard in 1826, Pensacola NAS has played an integral part in US naval operations for close to 200 years. Pensacola NAS is accessed through its main gate from the north by South Navy Boulevard.
Thousands of naval aviators, support personnel, civilian contractors, government and civilian dignitaries, and civilian contractors and tourists have entered the installation along South Navy Boulevard.
The corridor from Barrancas Avenue southward to the bridge crossing Bayou Grande into the front gate is a dated, 6-lane asphalt road with two lanes southbound, three lanes northbound, and a center dual left turn lane. There are sidewalks throughout the corridor recently completed on both sides of the roadway through an FDOT resurfacing project. There are no bike lanes. Driveways line both sides of the corridor, many of which do not meet spacing or width standards to foster safe movements to and from the South Navy corridor.
There is very little street lighting, typically only a single light at the intersections and the three signalized intersections of Barrancas, Winthrop, and Sunset. A plan is needed to review the corridor through the lenses of access management, safety, and beautification for drivers and pedestrians.
For more information on the South Navy Boulevard Improvement Plan or to get involved, visit SouthNavyBlvd.com.
