Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Project Development & Environment Study

1. Pensacola Bay Bridge ReplacementProject Development & Environment Study Welcome! Public Hearing Presentation June 10, 2014

2. Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Project Development & Environment Study Escambia & Santa Rosa Counties State Project Number: 409334-1 Federal Project Number: 4221-078-P

3. Federal-State Partnership Title VI of the United States Civil Rights Acts This hearing is being held to afford all citizens the right to understand the project and comment on their concerns to the Department of Transportation. This public hearing is being held to comply with the Title VI of the Civil Right Act of 1964, as amended. Public participation at this hearing is encouraged and solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status.  Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT’s compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting the FDOT, District Three Title VI John Smith, Highway 90 East, Chipley, Florida 32428-0607, or the Florida Department of Transportation Equal Opportunity office, 605 Suwannee Street, Room 260, Mail Station 65, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450. All inquiries or complaints will be handled according to Department procedures and in an expeditious manner.

4. Pensacola Bay Bridge PD&E Hearing Purpose Inform you of the study findings, discuss the study recommendations and receive input regarding the location, conceptual design and potential social, economic and environmental effects of the proposed improvement. A verbatim transcript is being made of all oral proceedings and all written or oral material will be a part of the public record for the project.

5. Speaker Request Card # ___ To be completed prior to making a recorded statement Do Not Fill PUBLIC HEARING – June 10, 2014 Project Name:Pensacola Bay Bridge PD&E Study Project Limits:From 17th Avenue in Pensacola to Baybridge Drive in Gulf Breeze PLEASE PRINT: Name: ___________________________________________________ First Middle Last Address: _________________________________________________ Number & Street Name _________________________________________________ City State Zip Code Telephone: _____________________ Email:_____________________ Representing: Self:_______ Firm:_____________________________ Government Agency:____________________________ Civic Organization:______________________________ Home Owners Association:_______________________ Other:_________________________________________

6. PD& E Study Process Project Development & Environment Study • Evaluate current conditions – data collection • Environmental, social, engineering • Forecast future needs – traffic • Develop Conceptual Alternatives • Perform assessments of the potential engineering, environmental, and community impacts • Select an alternative and secure FHWA Location and Design Concept Approval

7. Project Website www.pensacolabaybridge.com Newsletters One – On – One Meetings CommunityStakeholders Special Interest Groups Neighborhood Association Meetings Local, State& FederalOfficials AgencyMeetings BoardPresentations Public Outreach PUBLIC HEARING

8. Purpose • Existing bridge deficiencies: • Lack of modern safety provisions • Does not meet current desirable navigation requirements • Deteriorating conditions indicate that the bridge is structurally deficient • No facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists • Maintenance costs are substantially increasing without a return on the investment • Will not adequately handle future traffic demand • Purpose • Select the most appropriate location and design concept for the replacement bridge

9. Corridor Alternatives West Corridor East Corridor Central Corridor

10. Corridor Alternatives • Basis for Selection • Least disruptive to community facilities • Least disruptive to the marine environment • Least disruptive to residents and businesses • Preserved the greatest amount of shoreline Central Corridor

11. Central Corridor Design Alternatives “Build” Alternatives • Central East • Central West • FDOT/FHWA are also required to assess a “no build” condition throughout the PD&E study

12. Central Corridor Design Alternatives “No Build” Alternative • Only maintenance and repair activities would be performed • Bridge continues to degrade dramatically, increasing cost of repair • No traffic relief at the Bayfront Parkway / 17th Avenue Intersection • No improvement to existing safety features • No facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists • Bridge does not have sufficient lanes to adequately handle future traffic • Navigation clearances restrict marine traffic • High risk of losing the bridge due to natural disasters (hurricane) • FDOT does not consider the “No Build” to be a viable alternative

13. Access Management Classification • Purpose • Improve safety for motorist and pedestrian • Improve mobility (roadway operations) • Techniques • Utilize a raised median • Provide turn lanes at intersections • Specific spacing criteria • Signals • Median opening • Connections to the road • Reduce conflict points Access Management Classification 5 • Median type Restrictive • Signal Spacing1,320 ft. • Median Openings • Full 1,320 ft. • Directional 660 ft. • Side Connections 245 ft. • Current US 98 Classification (within Project Limits) • Access Management Class 5

14. Bridge Profile & Elevation Above Water

15. Typical Sections Dual Shared-Use Paths Single Shared-Use Path

16. 17th Avenue – “Fly-over Ramp” Green Shores Restoration Flag Memorial Fish & Wildlife Bldg Railroad Bridge Welcome Center Boat Launch Fishing Bridge

17. Wayside Park Concept Plan

18. Central West Design Alternative Seawall Reconstruction X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Existing bridge location

19. Central East Design Alternative X XXXXXXXXX X XXXXXXXXXXX Fishing Bridge (new location) Existing bridge location

20. Build Alternatives – Matrix Evaluations Businesses/Residences Community Services Parks/Recreational Sites Archaeological Sites Natural Environment Public Comments Project Cost

21. Preferred Alternative FDOT Preferred Alternative: Central West Preferred Alternative Summary • Consistent with the regional transportation needs • Increases the capacity and safety of the facility • Provides enhancements with sidewalks, bicycle lanes, landscaping and improved stormwater treatment systems • Has no significant impacts to the natural environment • Has the least impact to the residents, businesses, and community facilities • Has the highest level of community support

22. Preferred Alternative – Environmental Wetlands and Floodplains • Executive Order 11988 – Floodplain Management (No Significant Floodplain Encroachment) • Executive Order 11990 – Protection of Wetlands (Wetland Impacts cannot be totally avoided and will be mitigated to meet regulations)

23. Preferred Alternative – Environmental Threatened and Endangered Species • The following species are protected under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended: Gulf Sturgeon Smalltooth Sawfish Loggerhead Turtle Green Sea Turtle Leatherback Turtle Hawksbill Sea Turtle Kemps Ridley Turtle Piping Plover West Indian Manatee Wood Stork The project may impact several of the identified species and the Department will continue to coordinate with the regulatory agencies to mitigate for any unavoidable impacts that may occur

24. Preferred Alternative – Environmental Air Quality and Noise Impacts • Air Quality Results • No significant adverse impacts • Project passes Air Quality Screening Test • Noise Study Results • Predicted noise levels do not exceed the levels that require sound attenuation measures • Sound abatement measures are not required

25. Preferred Alternative – Environmental Archaeological and Historical Sties A Cultural Assessment Report has been completed for the project area. The results of the assessment have been coordinated with the State Historic Preservation Office It has been determined that the preferred alternative has no impact upon any known archaeological or historic site

26. Preferred Alternative – Environmental Section 4(f) • The preferred Alternative has no involvement with any of the following Section 4(f) type properties: • Wildlife and waterfowl refuges • Historical and archaeological sites • Pensacola Wayside Park/Welcome Center • Escambia County Fishing Bridge • The preferred Alternative requires the taking of property from the following Section 4(f) resource • Gulf Breeze Wayside Park

27. Avoidance of Park Property – Section 4(f) • Prior to the taking of property from a Section 4(f) property the FHWA must demonstrate that there are no reasonable or prudent avoidance alternatives • Three potential alternatives were examined: • Avoidance to the East • Avoidance to the West • Build inside the existing FDOT right of way & detour traffic to the Garcon Point Bridge during the 5-6 year construction period • The FHWA has agreed that the avoidance alternatives are not reasonable and prudent

28. Preferred Alternative Right-of-Way Acquisition • The preferred alternative will require the acquisition of property from several businesses, and there exists the potential that several businesses may need to relocate • If you are required to make any type of move as a result of a Department of transportation project, you can expect to be treated in a fair and helpful manner and in compliance with the Uniform Relocation Assistance Act • Department relocation specialists are in attendance this evening and will be happy to answer your questions and furnish you with copies of relocation assistance brochures. Mr. Jon Wallace from the Milton Right of Way officeis the relocation assistance representative with us this evening. • Please visit with Jon if you have any right of way questions.

29. Pensacola Bay Bridge PD&E Study • Design/Build Procurement Process Planning • Project identified and incorporated into TPO Long Range Plan • FDOT includes project in 5-Year Work program • Develop Preliminary Alternatives • Evaluate impacts to the environment and community • Substantial Public Involvement and agency coordination • Select alternative & secure FHWA concurrence Project Development & Environment Study Preliminary Design • Refine preferred alternative • Select a Design/Build Team • Continue agency/government coordination Right-of-Way Acquisition by FDOT Final Design by Design/Build Team • Acquire property • Secure permits • Complete the design Construction by Design/Build Contractor

30. Public Comments Public Comment Period • Not a question & answer session • Time for you to provide comments • Time to place your testimony into the official record • Please limit your comments to no more than 3 minutes • Speakers • State your name and address • Speak directly into the microphone • Remain courteous and respectful of other opinions and comments

31. Contact Us! www.PensacolaBayBridge.com J. Brandon Bruner, PE Director – Environmental Management Office FDOT, District 3 1074 Highway 90 Chipley, FL 32428 • (850) 330-1509 Joseph.Bruner@dot.state.fl.us

32. Pensacola Bay Bridge ReplacementProject Development & Environment Study Thank You! Public Hearing Presentation June 10, 2014