Date: March 5, 2009
Contact: Nina Kelson, 850-934-2606
Contact: Tommie Speights (FDOT), 850-638-0250
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has advised that effective on Friday, March 6, J. Earle Bowden Way, the National Park Service road connecting Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach, can be opened to vehicular traffic. Gulf Islands National Seashore Superintendent Jerry Eubanks announced today that the gates will be open at 8:00 a.m. on Friday. Eubanks said, “It has been a long time coming and we are thrilled to have this roadway reopened to serve park visitors and the local communities.” FDOT District Secretary Larry Kelley said FDOT is proud to have played a role in the reconstruction of this major tourist route. “It is truly a pleasure to have this long awaited connection reestablished and to reopen this scenic route on Santa Rosa Island.”
An official Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, sponsored by the National Park Service, the Pensacola Beach Chamber, the Navarre Beach Chamber, and the Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Council is scheduled for Friday, March 6, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the Opal Beach Area. All are invited to attend to officially celebrate this important occasion. Elected officials, representatives from the Federal Highway Administration, Florida Department of Transportation, the National Park Service and community leaders will be there to commemorate the reopening of this roadway.
Portions of J. Earle Bowden Way were destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in the summer of 2004. The project was halted before completion as a result of Tropical Storm Arlene, Hurricane Cindy, and Hurricane Dennis in 2005, all of which resulted in damage to the newly completed and in-progress roadwork.
The public should be aware of the following information:
Ø The roadway does not have a “finished” appearance since costs were held to a minimum in repairing the surface.
Ø The speed limit is permanently reduced to 35 MPH. Due to the surface design, the roadway cannot safely accommodate highway speeds. In addition, the lower speed will help to extend the life of the roadway since lower cost design standards were used.
Ø The Seashore recently began construction and repair to the Opal Beach Day Use facilities. While these facilities are not open at this time, by late April/early May a portion will be reopened for public use and the Seashore does plan to have lifeguards at the Opal Beach Area this summer. Work on the eastern-most cluster of facilities is in progress and moving to the west; sections will be reopened as construction is completed.
Ø Visitors are reminded that there is some storm-related debris in the area and on-going construction so footwear is strongly recommended while walking on the beach or wading in the water.
For additional information about Gulf Islands National Seashore projects and programs contact the Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center at 850-934-2600 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/guis.
