Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier to close as Escambia makes $3M in storm repairs

Mollye Barrows, Pensacola News Journal
·2 min read

The Casino Beach Fishing Pier on Pensacola Beach needs at least $3 million worth of repairs for damage caused by Hurricane Sally, and Escambia County wants to get going on making those repairs as soon as possible now that the summer season is over.

During their board meeting Thursday night, Escambia County commissioners agreed to contract civil infrastructure services contractor DRMP Inc. for $273,075 to oversee and inspect the work once it begins. The county must now select a contractor to repair and rebuild the damaged parts of the Casino Beach Fishing Pier.

The deadline to submit a bid for the repair work is today. Commissioner Robert Bender, who represents District 4 where Pensacola Beach is located, said after reviewing the bids the board plans to vote on a contractor during its Nov. 2 commission meeting.

Angelers and sightseers use the worn and weathered Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Escambia County expects to begin work to repair broken and weathered portions of the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier starting in November of 2023.
Angelers and sightseers use the worn and weathered Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Escambia County expects to begin work to repair broken and weathered portions of the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier starting in November of 2023.

Once a contractor is selected the county plans to get started as soon as possible.

Hurricane Sally, a category 2 storm, made landfall in Gulf Shores, Alabama, on Sept. 16, 2020. Escambia County also took a beating from high winds and waves, including the Casino Beach Fishing Pier that suffered extensive damage.

The storm dislodged the pier’s timber deck blowout panels, destroyed the pedestrian railing, as well as electrical, lighting and water utilities. The force of the water and impact from debris also caused damage to pilings, pile caps and beams on the 1,471-foot-long pier.

Pier repairs: Repairs to Sally-damaged Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier move ahead with design contract

The repair work is estimated to cost at least $3.3 million and will take about six months to complete. The fishing pier will likely be closed for the duration of construction, but the county will work with the contractor to see if parts of it can remain open during that time.

The county said all work over the water will be done from the top without putting any construction equipment in the water and using a method to prevent debris from falling into the surf.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will reimburse the county for expenses related to the repair work.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Casino Beach Fishing Pier Hurricane Sally damage slated for repair