News Release

Virtual Public Meeting March 8 Discussing Roadway Sustainability Options for Fort Pickens Rd. and Hwy 399

News Release Date: March 1, 2022

Contact: Stephenie Wade, 850-932-2612

GULF BREEZE, Fla. -- Gulf Islands National Seashore will host a virtual public meeting on March 8, 2022, from 4 to 6 p.m. to solicit feedback on various sustainable road options being evaluated for portions of J. Earle Bowden Way (Highway 399/Route 11) and Fort Pickens Road (Route 12), on Santa Rosa Island, Escambia County, Florida. 

In 2004, Hurricane Ivan severely damaged the roadways within the park and subsequent hurricanes and tropical storms have further eroded park shorelines. These natural barrier island processes have led to problems with minor storms and routine weather events pushing Gulf waters and sand onto roadway surfaces resulting in road damage, road closures and unsafe roadway operating conditions.

The National Park Service (NPS) is working to identify and evaluate potential sustainability options for these two roadways within Gulf Islands National Seashore. The NPS has not initiated formal planning, identified a preferred direction, or pursued funding to implement any design options at this time; however, the NPS is interested in the public’s insight and ideas on the project purpose and a range of potential options.  

For more information and to provide comments on this project, please use the following link: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/GUIS_Road_Feasibility_Study

As a result of COVID restrictions, the seashore will hold a virtual public meeting to solicit feedback. 
Those interested in participating can join using the following information.

Web: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86573697314  

Phone:  [phone] with Webinar ID 86573697314#; [phone] with Webinar ID 86573697314# 

www.nps.gov

About Gulf Islands National Seashore: Created in 1971, the national seashore stretches 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi, and includes barrier islands, maritime forests, historic forts, bayous, and marine habitat. Visit us at www.nps.gov/GulfIslands, on Facebook www.facebook.com/GulfIslandsNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/GulfIslandsNPS, and Instagram www.Instagram.com/GulfIslandsNPS.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.