Without notice, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) re-opened the Pensacola Bay Bridge Friday morning, restoring the vital connection between the communities of Gulf Breeze and Pensacola along U.S. 98.
The speed limit is 35 because it's still an active construction zone. And there's a half-mile section of the bridge where traffic is down to 2 lanes instead of 4. But the good news is the bridge is open!
May 28, 2021
The Pensacola Bay Bridge is now open for the first time since it was damaged by Skanska barges during Hurricane Sally, restoring the vital connection between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze.
The majority of the bridge is open to four lanes of traffic (two in each direction) except for a two-lane, half-mile segment just west of the bridge’s arch while work to complete final repairs continues. The speed limit is temporarily set at 35 mph and emergency refuge areas are available on the bridge.
To quickly clear travel lanes following vehicle incidents FDOT’s Road Ranger Service Patrol will be stationed on each end of the bridge from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. on weekends and major holidays. At other times, at least one unit will be on-call and available. Law enforcement will also be on-site 24-hours a day on both ends of the bridge to alert drivers about the temporary restrictions.
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By the end of May, every adult who is medically qualified to receive the vaccine will have had adequate time to receive the shot and sufficient time for the vaccine to become fully effective, Lewis said. Lewis himself is vaccinated.
Sarasota County is the area’s fourth-largest employer. At the beginning of the pandemic, nearly 800 workers were allowed to work from home, and would rotate to in-office depending on the department and demand. While most have already returned to the office, the remaining 350 or so workers will return by June 1.
As with the county’s approach to masks for the general public, the option to wear face coverings will be optional. Sarasota County Area Transit is one of the few exceptions because of a federal mandate issued earlier this year that requires the use of face coverings on public transportation.