County Funds Bike and Walking Path Projects

The Escambia County Commission at its March 26 meeting approved a $492,212 allocation from the Local Option Sales Tax funds to construct and extend a multi-use path from Via de Luna along west side of Pensacola Beach Blvd. The project, which is divided into two phases, calls for a path to be constructed near the traffic light north to the Elk’s Lodge on Pensacola Beach Blvd. This path will include a sidewalk and ADA improvements.

According to Escambia County Commissioner’s Public Information Officer Andrea Gibson, the first part of the project is expected to start in mid-April once the purchase order has been issued. Phase one will be completed within 90 days, weather permitting.

The second phase, which will not begin until the Gateway Improvement Project is complete, has a multiuse path from the Elk’s Lodge north to the new toll gantry. The gantry will be installed and the Bob Sikes Toll Facility will be demolished as part of the Gateway Improvement Project. The Gateway Project is expected to conclude at the end of June.

Escambia County Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger whose District Four includes Pensacola Beach said this is part of an ongoing improvement to the multi-use path system on Pensacola Beach.  As funding becomes available the next phase will commence.

“The goal is to keep the pedestrians and cyclists separated from the cars. We want to create a safe place for people to enjoy all the beach,” said Hofberger. “As we move forward, we will look at how to integrate the use of the multiuse path with the traffic congestion management plan. That study will be complete by end of summer 2026 and we will have a better idea of what that looks like then.”