Scenic Highway repairs could reshape Pensacola traffic and trees

Emergency roadwork underway as city officials vote on easement contract, raising concerns about construction impacts

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Emergency repairs are underway on a dangerously eroding section of Pensacola's Scenic Highway, where engineers warn the roadway could fail if work is delayed. City officials are set to vote Thursday on a needed FDOT easement, while nearby residents and nature advocates worry about intense construction impacts and the potential loss of more than 80 protected trees, including heritage oaks.

Why it matters

The Scenic Highway is a treasured scenic route in Pensacola, and the emergency repairs could significantly disrupt traffic and impact the surrounding natural environment. The city's decision on the easement contract will be crucial in determining how the repairs are carried out and what the long-term effects may be.

The details

The emergency repairs on the Scenic Highway are being undertaken to address a dangerously eroding section of the roadway, which engineers warn could fail if the work is delayed. The city is set to vote on Thursday on a needed easement contract with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to allow the repairs to move forward. However, nearby residents and nature advocates are concerned about the potential impacts, including the possible loss of more than 80 protected trees, some of which are heritage oaks.

  • The city of Pensacola is set to vote on the FDOT easement contract on Thursday, February 13, 2026.
  • The emergency repairs on the Scenic Highway are currently underway.

The players

Pensacola

The city of Pensacola, Florida, where the Scenic Highway is located and the emergency repairs are taking place.

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)

The state agency that owns the Scenic Highway and is involved in the easement contract with the city of Pensacola to allow the emergency repairs to proceed.

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What’s next

The city of Pensacola is set to vote on the FDOT easement contract on Thursday, February 13, 2026, which will determine the scope and timeline of the emergency repairs on the Scenic Highway.

The takeaway

The emergency repairs on the Scenic Highway in Pensacola highlight the delicate balance between infrastructure needs and environmental preservation. The city's decision on the easement contract will be crucial in determining how the repairs are carried out and what the long-term impacts will be on the local community and the surrounding natural landscape.