Crews digging in on J. Earle Bowden Way

The J. Earle Bowden Way reconstruction project is well underway and crews from Panhandle Grading and Paving are digging in. Weather permitting; workers are continuing efforts to remove damaged asphalt and remove sand from across the roadway. They will also continue placing sand in washed out sections.

The $3.4 million contract to reconstruct the roadway includes reconstructing J. Earle Bowden Way to a two lane road from Navarre Beach to Opal Beach, improving the Opal Beach parking areas for public access, and adding a single emergency lane between Opal Beach and Pensacola Beach.

However, efforts are underway to design and construct a two lane section between Opal Beach and Pensacola Beach to provide two lanes of access from Pensacola Beach to Navarre Beach.

New signs and pavement markings will also be installed. The project located within the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The current project completion date is late spring 2008, weather permitting