Can you still take I-10 E to WDW since hurricane Ivan?

[opus_00]

We are considering driving to WDW in February 2005 from New Orleans. A section of a bridge that is part of I-10 in Pensacola over Escambia Bay was destroyed during Hurricane Ivan. That is the route we would have taken.

Does anyone know the status of repairs on this bridge and how long it is supposed to take? I'm wondering if that section will still be closed in February. If an alternate route would add hours onto our drive, I'm not so sure we will still want to go. I've checked the WDW website and some other sites for updates on hurricane damage in the Disney area, but haven't found anything about transportation to and from Orlando.

Paula

 

[Irish9697]

Look Here:

http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/

Click on 'Road Status Reports' for closures and 'Travel Information for Ivan Affected Areas' for the I-10 detour. Doesn't look bad. Says the total detour travel time is 37 minutes.

HTH!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Not too long ago that detour was taking 2 hours. It may be shorter by now. I-10 probably won't reopen for at least 18-24 months.

 

[Doodlebug939]

When I called AAA I was told that it was one lane traffic on one side of the bridge. Is that not true?

 

[WindyLea]

We are going the 1st week of November, and I've been having the same worries. It one point, I heard that the new route detouring Escambia Bay was 3-4 hours. BUT...a friend just came back and since she actually took the detour, I trust her judgement. She said it added 30-45 minutes to their trip. Not bad at all, and definitely not long enough to cancel our trip!

 

[mareed]

I think there is a detour that takes 3-4 hours, but it's for commercial vehicles. Glad to hear the other detour is manageable as we'll be driving it in Dec.

 

[ash&abby'smom]

There was something on the news tonight about the bridge. It was either channel 4 or 8 New Orleans. I know they said one side was open, but I did not catch if it was two lanes going each way, so you may want to check out the news tonight or their websites.

 

[cajunmommy]

I-10 bridge open (only one side - two-way traffic)

See the link to the Pensacola News Journal article perdidobay has listed on the Transportation Board (thanks perdidobay!)

Wow! Opened 8 days ahead of schedule!

I'll be interested to hear 1st hand reports of how much time either this route or the detour route are taking.

 

[opus_00]

You guys are really ontop of things! I just spoke with my friend who got back last night, and she said that they took the detour and it was only about 45 minutes. That's good to know. And wow...I can't believe they have already opened one lane of that bridge! It would have been devastating to their tourism to keep it closed for very long, so I'm glad they were able to get it done so quickly.

Paula

 

[Miniefan]

I am from Pensacola and I am glad to tell you that the bridge reopened two days ago. Hope this helps you! I tell you what though, after seeing the bridge in pieces a week or so ago it definitely does not make me feel good about going over it again. Enjoy your trip.
Kim

 

[fredwena]

We drove over it yesterday.
The traffic was slowed. Signs warned that there may be delays.
It was about a 25-30 minute delay.
The detour is also a 25-30 minute delay. I was AMAZED at the damage done to the bridge. I am still in shock at all the missing pieces and twisted concrete on the fallen bridge.
You'll probably sit in traffic while the two lanes bottleneck into one, but once you get on the bridge, traffic will move faster.

 

[blowinbubbles]

I just drove over the I-10 bridge on Saturday, and yes, it did add about 15-20 minutes to our ride.

I tell ya, I'm 90% certain that the only reason the traffic slowed down is all the rubbernecking people are doing, checking out the damage on the bridge! LOL

 

[opus_00]

Wow, how on earth did they get that bridge repaired so quickly? I'm impressed!

Paula

 

[kbuck]

I'm from Chalmette a suburb of New Orleans and I was also told by AAA that the bridge was opened on one side. I could not believe it because of the pictures shown on the news. That is really amazing.