Pensacola Beach Gateway Construction Paused for Memorial Day Weekend

Escambia County is pausing construction on the Pensacola Beach Gateway Improvements Project for Memorial Day weekend and the following week, in order to ensure there are no lane closures or disruptions to traffic on Pensacola Beach due to project construction. 

Additionally, Escambia County has worked with the project contractors to modify the project construction timeline and minimize traffic impacts until after Labor Day weekend, avoiding weekend lane closures during peak tourism season. 

The updated project timeline is as follows:

Please note: Timeline is subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

• Week of Memorial Day: 

  • No lane closures; no disruptions to traffic or pedestrians

• Week of June 1:

  • Northbound inside lane closure (exiting Pensacola Beach)

• Week of June 8:

  • June 8 and 9: Northbound inside lane closure (exiting Pensacola Beach)

  • June 10-12: Overnight work only (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) - Right turn lane closed at the intersection of Pensacola Beach Boulevard (southbound) to Ft. Pickens (westbound). A pedestrian detour will also be in place at this intersection for 24 hours a day June 10-12 for pedestrian safety.

• Week of June 15:

  • June 15: Daytime southbound (entering Pensacola Beach) and northbound inside lane closures. Daytime work will be followed by a 15-minute overnight road closure of Pensacola Beach Boulevard (northbound and southbound). Work will included installation of the toll gantry structure.

• Mid-June through the end of August:

  • Minimal project work (all outside of the roadway) will be performed. No lane closures or road closures will be in effect.

• September (after Labor Day)

  • Project work will resume, including toll gantry equipment installation and testing, in addition to the demolition of the existing toll plaza.

Work is being performed for the installation of the new toll gantry and its associated equipment as part of the Pensacola Beach Gateway Improvements Project. The project 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. The new toll gantry will offer enhanced safety features, such as better access for emergency response vehicles, while also helping to reduce congestion at the entrance to Pensacola Beach.

To learn more about the Pensacola Beach Gateway Improvements Project, visit the project page.