Gateway Project to Commence Thursday January 29 with lane closures on Pensacola Beach Blvd

Northbound and southbound lanes along County Road 399 (Pensacola Beach Blvd) between the Bob Sikes Bridge and the ECUA Water Tanks will experience temporary lane closures while construction crews perform work within the roadway necessary for the installation of the new tolling gantry and its associated equipment.

THURS, JAN 29:

Phase 1: Northbound and Southbound inside lane closures are expected to last from Thursday, January 29, 2026, until Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

TUES, FEB 10:

Phase 2: Southbound Outside Lane Closures are expected to last from Tuesday, February 10, 2026, until Friday, February 27, 2026.

Traffic cones will be used to delineate traffic from new asphalt striping to existing toll booth entryway during Phase 2 and into Phase 3 until demolition of the existing toll booth begins Residents, businesses, local traffic, and emergency vehicles will have access to properties within area at all times, although there may be short periods when a driveway or entrance may be blocked temporarily as equipment and materials are moved during construction.

About the Gateway Project and Toll Gantry

Escambia County’s Construction Management Division is preparing to begin construction on the Pensacola Beach Gateway Improvements Project, replacing the existing Bob Sikes Toll Plaza on Pensacola Beach.

Construction is scheduled to begin this month and includes demolition of the current Bob Sikes Toll Plaza to build a new toll gantry with applicable toll-by-plate equipment, CCTV cameras, and new fiber optic communications. Work also includes replacing the roadway once the existing toll booth is demolished.

Work is expected to take place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; however, some work may also take place at night and on weekends as needed. Drivers should use extra caution and follow road crew instructions and posted signs when traveling through the work zone. Vehicles will have access to Pensacola Beach during the work period, though lane closures and traffic detours may be in place at times.

The project is expected to be completed by summer 2026, weather permitting.

The Pensacola Beach Gateway Improvements Project is funded by Local Option Sales Tax, Tourist Development Tax, and Bob Sikes Toll revenue funds, with construction costs totaling $6,559,570.

For more information about this and other projects, visit MyEscambia.com/projects.