National Park Service file photo
Carly Adams, representing Gulf Islands National Seashore, this afternoon reports there is no date available for the reopening of Hwy. 399/J. Earle Bowden Way, the sole island connector road between Navarre and Pensacola Beaches which traverses the park.
Adams did say a contractor has been secured to place temporary road delineators along the highway, but she said there was not anticipated time frame for completion of that project. “We just found out we have that contract,” she said.
The road was closed ahead of Hurricane Sally and remained closed thereafter due to damage sustained during the storm.
According to GINS, although the park will be able to reopen the road with temporary repairs, long-term repairs will need to be made, and the park is submitting a request to the Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division for financial support.