Something fishy on the new Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge

Michael Hoyt Williamson · Something fishy on the new Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge

Hey guys I would like your thoughts on the new Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge. Escambia County built this new fishing bridge at the cost of 10.74 million dollars. It is 2,576 feet long and will have 14 fish attracting lights installed, and is set to open by January of 2010. On August 24th the county decided that they would offer the management of the fishing bridge to the city of Pensacola. The staff of Parks and Recreation with the city at present is recommending that cars not be allowed on the bridge, pedestrians only. I first found out about this two weeks ago in a column by Mark O’Brien in the news journal. I called the City Parks and Recreation and talked to Mr. Charles Morgan. I told him that not allowing cars would be a big mistake. He informed me that the reason for doing so was traffic safety concerns because of the bridge being so narrow. I told him that if the new bridge is not as wide as the old one then yes this would be a problem, however if its the same width or wider than the old bridge then there is no traffic problem because cars have maneuvered in tight quarters on the bridge since 1961. Last Thursday I talked to Mr. Buddy Connelly the number two man in Parks and Recreation. He had notes from the previous conversation with Mr. Morgan. They had gone over to the remains of the Gulf Breeze side of the fishing bridge and measured the width. The new bridge is actually eleven inches wider than the old bridge. Now all of a sudden since the new bridge is wider than the old bridge, it was so much a safety issue as it was a cleanliness issue. According to Mr. Connelly the city wants to be able take the street sweepers and the water truck out on the bridge to keep it clean. If cars were allowed out there they would interfere in this process of keeping the bridge cleaned. Yesterday I talked to Mr. David Flaherty, the number one man with the city Parks and Recreation. I asked him where did the idea for not allowing cars on the new bridge originate. It was his idea. According to him in order for cars to be allowed on the fishing bridge another lane would be required so that people could fish and park without being in harms way of the traffic. After a lengthy and somewhat heated discussion, Mr. Flaherty has decided to change his original recommendation to the city council. His new recommendation will be that a committee of myself and two of my colleagues and of he and two of his staff will be created to debate the strategy of the use of the new bridge.
I need your input, what do you want? I personally think that it asinine not to allow cars out there. That bridge was engineered and built to have cars on it. If they wanted another walk-on pier they could have built one for a lot less money. I am willing to spearhead the fight to make this a drive on bridge if you, the fishing public want this. Last Saturday I was on the Florida Sportsman radio show with Mike Flowers and Ed Fish. We had twelve listeners call in and voice their concerns about the new bridge. All twelve said that they wanted to drive on the bridge. Monday night at the “Hook Line and Sinker” seminar at Flounders on Pensacola Beach, Chris Phillips did a survey of the eighty people in attendance. All but two wanted to be able to drive on the new bridge.

Gentlemen the time to act and to be heard is now!

Mike Williamson 850-572-6342
mhw60@cox.net

Ernie & Linda

I'm not a gentlemen but I did fish the 3 mile bridge quite a bit. More times then I can count I've limited out on Specks & redfish out there.
I miss fishing the 3 mile brige. The convenience of having all your stuff in your vehicle was nice and pulling up to your spot BUT.... unfortunatley it only takes one or 2 bad apples to ruin the bunch. I have been out there when my daughter was little and had people fly down there in their cars with my daughter standing nearby. I've also had a rod ran over by 2 "people" in a car and when I yelled at them they insinuated they had a gun in the car and would use it.... anyway I understand wanting to drive on the the pier but I think it should be just like Bob Sykes - buy a cart and haul your crap out there. ~Linda

Garb

I would have to agree with Linda on that one.
Safety is a big issue especially when it comes to any polictical views.
I would rather walk a half mile then to worry about some idiot flying down the bridge and i step around the truck and they not see me. BAM ended that fishing trip and gain medical bills.
Potential Lawsuit waiting to happen.

Dylan

I was one of the 2 that raised my hand for no walking..Then the PFFers tried to debate me right there..

Dylan

Also like I said I dont want my Jeep doors getting hit anymore and people almost get ran over....Dont give me that the bridge is 13in wider either..Thats almost nothing..If your over 55 you can drive your car on other then that NO...

Tiderider

I'm all for driving on the bridge, if you can't drive responsibly then you get banned from the bridge. I like the idea of having a big live well full of bait in the back of the truck, a cooler big enough to put a big king into and a place to hide if a rain squall comes along. Dang Mike 3 out of 4 want to walk that 2500 ft, hard to believe.

Dylan

Obie, I think it was the other way around..3 out of 4 want to drive..

Dylan

Also, what would the capacity be? We have all seen the bridge packed and it use to be bigger...If you walk everyone will have a chance to fish..If its drive on its going to be packed!

CLEVE3990

I definately am for driving out. People will have to be responsible for their actions. I am 75 years old and just had the second surgery on my right leg in an attempt to walk farther. Now at the Pensacola pier, I have to stop for 3-4 minutes between the top of ramp and water edge and wait for enough oxygen to get to my lower leg before moving on. There are lots of people just like that. It should be set up that every so far, say 100 yards, there is a now parking zone. I don,t really remember any big problems on the old bridges. I have seen probably 200 or more cars on the Gulf Breeze side at one time. with strict enforsement, I see no problem with drive on.
"Give'em Hell Mike"

Bob Cleveland