PCB wants residents to stay up to date on CRA projects

September 6, 2022

Nathan Cobb

Panama City News Herald USA TODAY NETWORK

PANAMA CITY BEACH — Councilman Michael Jarman says it is now more important than ever for residents to stay informed on roadway construction projects.

With a major segment of the Front Beach Road Community Redevelopment Area Plan underway and three others slated to break ground next year, residents now can sign up for an email list to receive information on roadway closures, traffic detours and the status of ongoing projects.

“It is imperative that there be a mechanism such as an email list out there to keep residents informed about where we are (in these projects) and what we’re doing,” Jarman said.

The largest ongoing portion of the CRA is Segment 3, which includes reconstruction of Front Beach Road west of State 79 to about Lullwater Drive, as well as along State 79 from Front Beach Road to Panama City Beach Parkway (Back Beach Road). A roundabout also is being constructed at the intersection of State 79 and Front Beach Road.

The project will cost Panama City Beach about $30 million, and it should be complete by December 2023.

The three CRA segments scheduled to begin construction in 2023 are:

● Segment 4.1 — Reconstruction of Front Beach Road east of Lullwater Drive to about Hills Road. Construction is scheduled to begin toward the middle of 2023. More than $14.309 million is funded for this project in the proposed 2023 CRA budget.

● Segment 4.2 — Reconstruction of Front Beach Road east of Hills Road to about Lantana Street. Construction is scheduled to begin toward the end of 2023. More than $6.249 million is funded for this project in the proposed 2023 CRA budget.

● Segment 4.3 — Reconstruction of Front Beach Road from Hutchinson Boulevard to about Richard Jackson Boulevard. Construction is scheduled to begin toward the end of 2023 or beginning of 2024. About $15.527 million is funded for this project in the proposed 2023 CRA budget.

The CRA was formed in 2001 with the goals of installing tram lanes, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, improved lighting, new street signs and landscaped medians along Front Beach Road and its connecting roadways. Jarman noted that while CRA construction has dragged along in past years, he and other members of the council are working to make sure that drastically changes in 2023, so residents and visitors will be able to enjoy updated roads sooner rather than later.

He also said segments 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 are the last major portions of the CRA, and they should be complete by 2025.

To sign up for the email list, email ktownsend@corradino.com.

“The biggest issue in Panama City Beach is its road infrastructure,” Jarman said. “If you asked 10 people what’s their biggest issue in Panama City Beach, I would not be surprised if all 10 did not put at the top of the list traffic. The CRA project not only beautifies the Front Beach Road area, but it also does a lot for access management and for traffic flow.

“…I don’t think anyone’s been really happy with the level of completion that’s taken place, so being able to get that ball rolling downhill and keep it moving is going to be very exciting and beneficial to the city.”