Three options based on the Florida Department of Transportation’s recently completed feasibility study are being offered:
ALTERNATIVE 1 (BLUE) replacement of existing bridge with estimated construction costs of $150-200 million, resulting tolls of $2.35-$3.35 per crossing.
ALTERNATIVE 2 (GREEN) from 87 S to Gulf Boulevard with estimated construction costs of $250-300 million, resulting in tolls of $4.25-$5.20 per crossing
ALTERNATIVE 3 (RED) from 87 S to Navarre Beach Causeway has no estimated costs or tolls
Santa Rosa County Commissioners during their Thursday board meeting will hear an unsolicited presentation from a Delaware-based company offering to fund and build a new Navarre Beach Bridge with reimbursement being future tolls.
The Delivering Bridges, LLC presentation suggests a new four-lane bridge with a multi-purpose path could be open to traffic by 2027.
District 4 Commissioner Ray Eddington, who represents Navarre, has been open to hearing the company’s proposal to replace the existing county-owned Navarre Beach Bridge, which has been open more than 60 years and declared functionally obsolete.
However, Commission Vice Chairman, who used to own a business on Navarre Beach, strongly opposes the proposal. “I am fully against it,” Calkins said, noting he prefers instead to work with U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz and former Senate President Don Gaetz to secure federal and state money. “Matt and Don Gaetz helped us get a brand new Pensacola Bay Bridge without any tolls. They did it through great leadership, and I want us to pursue an option that doesn’t place the burden of funding it on citizens.”
The company claims Parker Memorial Bridge (West Virginia,, Liberty & Independence Bridges (Michigan), Houbolt Road Extension (Illinois), Cline Avenue Bridge (Indiana) and South Northfolk Jordan Bridge (Virginia) amongst it completed projects, although a footnote in the presentation states the LLC was recently formed and those projects were completed by other entities.
Santa Rosa County must fund a project development and environment (PD&E) study, which will cost more than $1 million, prior to beginning any replacement project. Such a project would also require a bidding process.
Email District4@santarosa.fl.gov to let Eddington know your thoughts on the tolled bridge proposal.
