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Escambia County Commissioners voted to move forward with an application for Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funds Monday, in hopes of funding bridge projects in the county.
Ernie Baggett, director of external projects with the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, was on hand to discuss the application process.
“The funding being sought is the result of Hurricanes Sally and Zeta that struck in 2020,” Baggett said. “The original disaster designation was for Baldwin and Mobile Counties, but after looking at the areas impacted, Escambia and six other counties were added. That got us to where we are now with the money coming down.”
Baggett said the $3 million allocated in 2020 won’t go as far in 2025, but will be a big help.
Escambia County is able to submit projects to be considered for the funding in the application Baggett and his staff will prepare on behalf of the county.
“The funding will cover one project in the infrastructure application,” Baggett said. “You have some good projects to submit with three bridges in total. We are only guaranteed one project, based on grading of the projects. Those will go through the review process and move on to ADECCA, who will administer the grant, on June 30 with a July 30 deadline for grading and selection.”
Baggett said the money allocated as a result of the application is required to be obligated by 2029 since this will be the last round of funding from these storms.
Up for consideration of funding in the application will include the Escambia CR67 Bridge; Escambia CR69 Bridge; and Escambia Grisset Bridge at Big Escambia Creek. According to application details the three submitted bridges are ones built in 1974, 1960 and 1970, respectively, and all are showing signs of deterioration, occasionally closings for repairs and regular traffic.
Baggett told commissioners that a total of $52.2 million was awarded for the seven-county area with $30 million allocated to housing and $22 million for infrastructure repairs.
“We are guaranteed funding for one infrastructure project,” Baggett said. “However, if all of the housing money is not used, it may be moved to help fund infrastructure projects. We may have an opportunity for funding of other projects.”
Baggett also praised county engineers for their work in preparing for the application process.
“They have been on top of this and have done a great job,” Baggett said.
Commissioners agreed to move forward with the application process giving Escambia County Commission Chairman Raymond Wiggins authority to sign the documents. Once approval is granted, the commission will move forward with project work following a vote at an upcoming meeting of the group.
In other business, the commission:
• approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Escambia County Routes to be included in the Poarch Band of Creek Indians  (PBCI) National Tribal Transportation Facilities Inventory;
• approved an MOU between PBCI and Escambia County relative to the placement of signs along Jack Springs Road;
• approved an MOU between PBCI and Escambia County relative to grading of Stewart Road and Pleasant View Drive;
• approved a resolution confirming the additional duties of safety coordinator for the EMA director;
• approved an update to the county’s purchasing policy; and,
• adopted a resolution for the back-to-school sales tax holiday as requested by the Alabama Department of Revenue.