THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (FDOT) is conducting a Project Development and
Environment (PD&E) study for the replacement of the Pensacola Bay Bridge located in Escambia and Santa Rosa
Counties: SR 30 (US 98) from 17th Avenue in Pensacola to Baybridge Drive in Gulf Breeze. Various alternatives
and alignments will be considered to address both safety and possible capacity improvements that will tie into the
existing facilities.
The Pensacola Bay Bridge crosses Pensacola Bay to connect the cities of Pensacola and Gulf Breeze, Florida.
This is a navigable water of the United States governed by the U.S. Coast Guard (CG) regulations. The bridge is
approximately 3 miles in length and was built in 1960. The bridge is currently "Structurally Deficient", which does
not pose an immediate threat to the motoring
public, but does require the FDOT to plan for a
replacement bridge within the next 3 to 5 years.
The general objective of the study is to provide
documentation and information necessary for
the FDOT to reach a decision on the feasibility,
location, and conceptual design of a replacement
for the existing Pensacola Bay Bridge. The
factors to be considered in the analyses include:
current and future traffic demand, social impacts,
environmental impacts, community values,
aesthetic considerations and engineering
principles. Throughout the PD&E Study, a
comprehensive public involvement program will
provide numerous opportunities for local, state,
and federal agencies and elected officials to
provide valuable input into the development of
the bridge replacement alternatives. In addition
the general public will have opportunities to
provide input through advertised public meetings,
neighborhood workshops, and one-on-one
contact with the PD&E Team. A project website
that will provide information regarding upcoming
meetings, schedules, and project documents will
be available throughout the study process.
Ultimately, the findings of the PD&E study,
including an environmental document required
by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), will be documented and submitted to the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) for approval of the Location and Design Concept for the replacement bridge. Subsequent
to the receipt of the FHWA's approval, the FDOT will continue forward with the production of design plans, right-of way
acquisition (if necessary) and finally, construction of the new bridge.
GET INVOLVED!
Public Involvement is a critical component of the PD&E process and is intended to 1) help the public better
understand transportation planning, 2) allow the public to express concerns and opinions regarding the project, and
3) result in a final transportation solution that meets the needs and desires of the community. Project newsletters will
be distributed at various key times throughout the study to provide updates on the project's progress.
Throughout the project, there will be several opportunities to share your comments about the project and receive
updates. Meetings will be held with local agencies and officials during decision-making stages of the study. The project
will have several public meetings over the next few years. Please refer to the Project Milestones on this newsletter for
a general idea when these meetings will occur. Before the public meetings, advertisements will be placed in The
Pensacola News Journal in Pensacola and the Gulf Breeze News in Gulf Breeze, as well as the project's website.
HOW TO REACH US
We encourage you to take an active part in this PD&E Study. If you wish to discuss the project with a study team
member or be added to the mailing list, please contact one of the following members of the Project Team:
J. BRANDON BRUNER, PE
Project Development Engineer
FDOT, District 3
1074 Highway 90
Chipley, Florida 32428
Phone: 850-415-9625
Joseph.Bruner@dot.myforida.com
DAN KRISTOFF, PE
Project Manager
RS&H
10748 Deerwood Park Blvd., South
Jacksonville, Florida 32256
Phone: 904-256-2139
Daniel.Kristoff@rsandh.com
NICK ARNIO, PE, PTOE
Deputy Project Manager
RS&H
1701 Hermitage Blvd., Suite 101
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
Phone: 850-558-2800
Nicholi.Arnio@rsandh.com
