Two projects will create four lanes from Beulah Road to US 29
The latest release of the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) 5-year Work Plan revealed funding for the long-awaited widening of almost 10 miles of Nine Mile Road between Beulah Road and US 29 that will include the previously unfunded section of the roadway between Pine Forest Road and US 29.
The inclusion of the new phase for the widening project is the result of a partnership between Escambia County and the FDOT, with the County funding $1.2 million for project development and environmental studies, as well as a design update, using Local Option Sales Tax funds. Over the next year, the FDOT plans to spend $1.2 million to acquire rights of way to widen the road along the 4.3-mile section and to complete environmental work.
Last summer, the FDOT held a public meeting to discuss the widening of Nine Mile Road from two to four lanes along the section of road between at U.S. 90/Mobile Highway and Pine Forest Road - a length of about 5.8 miles - including access management, changes or the design and construction of medians and median openings and storm water treatment ponds. The continuation of the project to US 29 will effectively ease congestion and improve traffic flow along the crowded commercial corridor.
Increasing traffic counts and congestion as the area continues to develop caused the reclassification of the road from “rural” to “suburban” and necessitated the redesign of a project originally slated for construction almost a decade ago.
Construction could begin as early as 2015 and, once complete, will support the continued growth of Navy Federal Credit Union, proposed development at the site currently known as Outlying Landing Field 8 and ease access for Nature’s Trail and other residential neighborhoods.
