Plans to demolish and replace the old Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge will move forward on Nov. 1, if Escambia’s Board of County Commissioners approves a nearly $23 million construction agreement at their next board meeting to get the work underway.
The board is being asked to approve a $22,873,000 agreement between Escambia County and Russell Marine, LLC for the project.
The fishing bridge extends out from Wayside Park into Pensacola Bay on the east side of the Gen. Chappie James Bridge over Pensacola Bay.
It was badly damaged due to Hurricane Sally in 2020. The slow-moving, Category 2 storm hit Pensacola on Sept. 16, 2020, bringing damaging winds and rainfall of up to 30 inches.
During the hurricane, multiple construction barges belonging to Skanska from the adjacent Pensacola Bay Bridge construction project broke loose and hit the main bridge as well as the Pensacola Bay Fishing Pier, causing extensive damage to both.
The county says a witness employed by Eisman & Russo, Inc. reported that the pier was struck by three different Skanska construction barges, and one of the barges got lodged underneath the pier, pushing and lifting the structure as waves passed.
The existing 2,578-foot-long, 24-foot-wide fishing bridge and approach structures will be demolished, with debris deposited in permitted artificial reefs or taken to permitted landfills.
The new fishing bridge will be approximately the same size and will be built along the same alignment as the existing structure.
“I am so excited for this project to be underway,” said Escambia County Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger who represents District 4 where the project is located. “With all the requirements from FEMA, it did take quite a while to get going. I think providing access to fishing for our entire community is very important. Many people use it, not only recreationally, but to feed their families.”
County engineers say precast concrete light pedestals, poles, and luminaires will be installed to provide pedestrian deck lighting, and below-deck fishing lights will be installed to attract fish.
Anti-graffiti coatings will be applied, along with regulatory and instructional signage will be installed along the length of the fishing bridge.
The aluminum railing will meet the recommendations of the American with Disabilities Act Guidelines for Recreation Facilities.
The county says pedestrian traffic onto the U.S. 98 bridge and emergency vehicle access underneath the bridge will be maintained during construction.
This project is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA and the State of Florida obligated $17,558,646.49 for the project on April 21, 2025.
Escambia County staff anticipate that $21,729,350, or 95% of the entire cost of the project, will be reimbursed by FEMA and the state of Florida, and Escambia County would be responsible for the remaining 5% of the cost, or $1,143,650.
However, should FEMA determine the additional costs to be ineligible, Escambia County would be responsible for the remaining amount of $5,314,353.51.
Construction is anticipated to begin on Nov. 1, 2025. The county says under the contract, 600 contract days are allocated for the work, bringing the estimated completion date to July 24, 2027.
The county says the project was publicly announced for bid on June 5, 2025, and was sent to 2,073 vendors with 77 followers and 123 downloads. Seven bids were received, and Russell Marine was deemed the low-cost, most responsive and responsible bidder.
While the county is responsible for maintenance of the Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge, the city of Pensacola is responsible for Wayside Park, which was also hit hard and damaged during Hurricane Sally.
The city approved $1.4 million in repairs to Wayside Park, but work has been contingent on the county’s replacement of the fishing pier.
The board is scheduled to vote on the contract with Russell Marine at its board meeting on Sept. 16. Public forum begins at 9:15 a.m. and the regular meeting is scheduled to start at 9:45 a.m. at 221 Palafox Place.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Escambia ready to replace Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge 5 years after Sally for $22M
Reporting by Mollye Barrows, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
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