FDOT Projects Pensacola Bay Bridge Will Be Completed By Summer ...

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Senator Doug Broxson announced a completion window for the Pensacola Bay Bridge.

The project was originally delayed after a barge came loose during Hurricane Sally and crashed into the bridge

FDOT is now targeting early summer of 2022 for the bridge to be done -- which is just about six months away.

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However, some Gulf Breeze residents believe the project will take longer than that.

A new year often brings people hope and new opportunities. The Florida Department of Transportation hope to soon bring the people of Gulf Breeze and Pensacola, a completed three mile bridge.

"I don't believe FDOT believes Skanska's work load is going to increase or decrease," Senator Doug Broxson said. "I think they're going to stay right on schedule and we're going to see a six lane bridge in early summer."

Senator Broxson told Channel 3 that he thinks they have a lot of work to do before they get to the other side.

"I'm just telling you what's been reported to me. That what they have to do they can do within enough time to meet the contract."

Some people in Gulf Breeze are skeptical.

"Born and raised here, highway projects have taken forever," a resident said. "It's not gonna be done until 2025."

"It just doesn't look anywhere close to being done," another resident said.

According to the state, the main pieces of the bridge are assembled in Pensacola, then put into place by cranes.

Given the supply chain crisis and the affects its had on construction projects across the country, Senator Broxson says Skanska and FDOT have been fortunate.

He says construction has not been impeded in any way due to supply issues.

"This is a design and build bridge," Senator Broxson said. "Everything they produce on that bridge is created in a plant in Pensacola. They're not going to be locked in with what they're seeing on national news in terms of the supply chain. There's plenty of concrete, there's plenty of steel. I believe they warehouse that. As far as the supply chain, I don't think that will be interrupted with anything right now."

This week, a federal judge found Skanska negligent in its preparations for Hurricane Sally -- sending their 27 barges loose and damaging the bridge.

Attorneys will now take hundreds of cases against the company to state court -- which Senator Broxson believes won't disrupt construction.

He told Channel 3 that Skanska is scheduled to finish long before the court could make them pay for damages.