Interstate 110 is the only spur route from Interstate 10 in the state of Florida. Its purpose it to facilitate traffic to and from downtown Pensacola to the only two-digit Interstate highway within the Panhandle of Florida. Additionally, the southern terminus ties into U.S. 98, a short distance from the Three-mile Pensacola Bay bridge. This connection grants fast access to Gulf Breeze and the Emerald Coast area of Pensacola Beach, Navarre, and Fort Pickens.
Interstate 110 is paralleled by U.S. 29 to the west and Florida 291/Davis Highway to the east.
The following are key dates in the history of Interstate 110 in Florida:2
1968 - Interstate 110 first proposed to extend further south to what was then the city limits of Pensacola.
1969 - Interstate 110 constructed from Maxwell Street north to Interstate 10 (first segment to open).
1978 - Interstate 110 opened from Gregory St. north to Maxwell Street. Interstate 110 is now complete.
Future Aspirations
Plans for a northward extension of Interstate 110 to Nine Mile Road (Alternate U.S. 90) have been dropped for the near term due to funding related issues. Long-range plans still propose a further extension of the freeway to Interstate 65.
Additionally, a report came out during 2001 of a possible replacement of the four-lane U.S. 98 three-mile bridge over the bay. A six-lane facility is sought, and two plans exist on how to obtain this expansion. One is to widen the existing bridge. Two is to build a completely new span (with the possibility of retaining the current as well). What role does this play with Interstate 110? The new span or upgraded existing span is thought to directly connect with Interstate 110 via a limited access viaduct. This in effect, would extend Interstate 110 southward to the bay or possibly the south end of the bridge at Gulf Breeze. There are many restaurants and other structures along current U.S. 98/Gregory Street between the current south end and the north end of the bridge. So a viaduct between the two highways seems a daunting task considering everything that would have to be removed from the pathway.
Current Construction
A $76 million construction project is underway at the Interstate 10/110 junction. The project
entails the six-laning of Interstate 10 from east of the Old Palafox Highway (Escambia County 95A) to east of the Davis Highway (Florida 291) interchange at Exit 13. Also slated is a six-laning of Interstate 110 from the terminal interchange southward to just north of the Airport Road overpass. Improvements to the Interstate 10/110 trumpet interchange include constructing a new flyover ramp from Interstate 10 west to Interstate 110 south. The nearby partial cloverleaf interchange with Davis Highway will see improved accessibility. Florida 291 widens to six lanes from Interstate 10 south to University Mall as well. The project is scheduled for completion during the fall of 2006.
Associated with the Interstate 10/110 project is the construction of a new Creighton Road overpass over Interstate 110. This new alignment will extend the existing five lane Florida 742 to Hilburn Road where it will reunite with the original Florida 742 alignment at Burgess Road. Florida 742 will then be five lanes from Hilburn Road eastward to Florida 289/Ninth Avenue (A widening of Creighton Road between Davis Highway and Ninth Avenue was completed by 1996). Future plans, though not yet funded by the state legislature, call for extending Creighton Road further west to U.S. Highway 29. When complete, the current Burgess Road overpass will be dismantled to allow for the Interstate 110 widening. Cul-de-sacs will be put in place on either side of Interstate 110 for Burgess Road. This Florida 742 project is slated for completion later this year.1 For additional information and maps of the project area please see i10-i110.com.
Source: October 31, 2002 Interstate Route Log and Finders List
Interstate 110 Annual Average Daily Traffic
County
From
To
AADT Composite
Escambia
Exit 1/U.S. 98/98 - Gregory St.
Exit 2/U.S. 90 - Cerventes Street.
39,500
Escambia
Exit 2/U.S. 90/98 - Cerventes Street.
Exit 3/Maxwell St./Jordan St.
50,500
Escambia
Exit 3/Maxwell St./Jordan St.
Exit 4/FL 296 -Brent Lane
57,500
Escambia
Exit 4/FL 296 - Brent Lane
Exit 5/FL 295 - Fairfield Drive
62,000
Escambia
Exit 5/FL 295 - Fairfield Drive
Exit 6/Interstate 10
56,500
Escambia
52,441
Source: Florida Traffic Information 2002 CD-Rom
Southern Terminus - Business U.S. 98 - Pensacola, Florida
The southern terminus of Interstate 110 east of downtown is this elevated stack interchange at the Pensacola Civic Center and Business U.S. 98. This interchange is the only stack within all of Northwest Florida. Photo taken from the civic center parking lot looking northward. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/27/99).
Perspective from Interstate 110 south
Southbound Interstate 110 on the upper level of the stack interchange. The sign bridge shows Exits 1A and 1B, as well as a tourist information panel. These two interchanges partition at a gore at the end of the flyover. That location (at the end of the ramp) marks the end of Interstate 110 southbound. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman/Andy Field (06/01).
This photo shows Gregory Street exit signage at the end of the stack interchange (Exit 1A); this sign has since been removed as part of reconstruction. At the time of this photograph, the ramp to U.S. 98 was closed for reconstruction. The project completed by spring 2001, and allocated an additional eastbound lane for U.S. 98 bound traffic. At the time of the construction, all Interstate 110 traffic was detoured via Gregory Street to Business U.S. 98 in order to reach U.S. 98. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (12/03/00).
These photos were taken at same location as the previous photbox, at the spot where the mainline freeway partitions into Exit 1A and Exit 1B after reconstruction of the Exit 1B was completed. The exit tabs, incidentally, retain button copy lettering. This location marks the southern terminus of Interstate 110, but no end shield is posted. Photos taken by Alex Nitzman (03/16/02) and Steve Hanudel (08/14/05).
This overhead sign for U.S. 98/9th Avenue at the end of Exit 1B has been replaced (see next photobox). The configuration was one lane from Interstate 110 and one lane from Business U.S. 98 east, but now it is two lanes from Interstate 110 and one lane from Business U.S. 98. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (12/03/00).
This photo shows the replaced signage (from the above photo) for the U.S. 98 eastbound ramp from Interstate 110. 9th Avenue is U.S. 98 from this intersection northward to U.S. 90/Cerventes Street. 9th Avenue becomes Florida 289 north of that meeting. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (03/16/02) and Steve Hanudel (08/14/05).
Perspective from Gregory Street westbound
This photo was taken along westbound U.S. 98 where it turns to the north to meet and duplex with U.S. 90. Business U.S. 98 begins at the intersection, with the interchange with Interstate 110 just to the right of the Pensacola Civic Center. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/27/99).
This photo shows the same scene as above, but during the month of December. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (12/03/00).
There are two ways to get onto Interstate 110 north from downtown Pensacola. One is via U.S. 98/Business U.S. 98/Gregory Street westbound. This photograph looks at the sign bridge for the westbound Business U.S. 98/Gregory Street split with Interstate 110 northbound at the Pensacola Civic Center (large building on the left). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (09/29/02).
Nightime view of the signs that used to be in place at the Business U.S. 98 west/Interstate 110 northbound split. Traffic continuing to the left will reach downtown Pensacola on the west side of the Interstate 110 stack interchange. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/93).
Gore point where Interstate 110 begins. The large 36" shield was installed for Interstate 110 during late 2001. Traffic ascends onto a viaduct for the first two miles of the freeway. The high-rise to the right is that of a hotel. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (09/29/02).
Perspective from Chase Street eastbound
The other entrance to Interstate 110 north is located two blocks to the north of Business U.S. 98/Garden Street at Chase Street, northeast of downtown Pensacola. This photo looks at the Chase Street viaduct as it ascends to cross over Civic Center area (the large building protruding in the background). The Interstate 110 ramp begins from atop the elevated roadway. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (03/16/02).
First indication of the northern terminus. This Interstate 10 sign is posted within the Exit 5/Fairfield Road diamond interchange. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (03/16/02).
After traffic from Florida 295/Fairfield Drive merges onto Interstate 110 north, they are greeted with this sign bridge. The overpass in the background is that of Florida 742. Interstate 110 retains concrete throughout its duration. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (03/16/02).
Many eons ago, the Interstate 10 signage on the sign bridge in the above photobox looked like this. These Interstate 10 panels were replaced during 1996. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (04/95).
Interstate 10 sign bridge at the partition of ramps between east and west. This trumpet interchange marks the current northern terminus of Interstate 110 Eventually Interstate 110 may be extended further north as a toll highway to serve the northern Pensacola metropolitan area up to Cantonment. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (11/28/99).
Closer perspective of the above displayed sign bridge. The interchange is actually Exit 6 of Interstate 110. The only indication as such is the Exit 6 gore sign for Interstate 10 eastbound traffic. As is the case with southbound, again no end sign is posted. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (03/23/02).
Overhead signage assembly on westbound Interstate 10 at the exit for U.S. 29 northbound. This signage was altered to show the new mile based exit system for Florida the day of this photograph. It is the first indication on eastbound of the impending junction with the downtown Pensacola spur. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (02/02/02).
After U.S. 29 based traffic merges onto Interstate 10 eastbound, this Interstate 110 advises them of the next interchange. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman/Andy Field (06/01).
This photo shows signage for Interstate 110 along eastbound Interstate 10. This sign was installed in 1999 during the reconstruction of Interstate 10, but is shown being altered to display a new mile-based tab. Based on the sequential based exit numbering system, this was Exit 4. Now it is Exit 12. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (02/02/02).
Contextual perspective of eastbound Interstate 10 at the Interstate 110 trumpet interchange. Exit 13/Florida 291/Davis Highway, is located about a half mile to the east of this junction. The Interstate 110 trumpet interchange is slated for upgrading within the next 10 to 20 years. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (12/03/00).
The only advance signage in place along Interstate 10 westbound for Exit 12/Interstate 110 south. This guide sign is posted with in the folded cloverleaf interchange with Florida 291/Exit 13. The close approximately between the two highways gives Interstate 10 westbound three lanes between the two junctions. It appeared at the time of this photograph that new signage may be installed soon. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (09/29/02).
Construction progresses at the northern terminus of Interstate 110. Visible as of Summer of 2003 are completed supports for the eventual flyover from Interstate 10 west to Interstate 110 south. This ramp will depart from the right, with the pre-existing ramp to Interstate 110 south facilitating movements from oncoming Florida 291/Davis Highway traffic. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Justin Cozart (08/21/03).
Westbound Interstate 10 at the loop ramp for Interstate 110 southbound. The bridges of this interchange were re-decked with jersey walls installed by 1998. All Interstate 10 mainline and interchange based bridges were reconstructed. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (08/14/05).
Nightime detail of the Interstate 110 exit only overhead depicted in the above photobox. A ramp was added from southbound Florida 291 to westbound Interstate 10 by 1999. The Florida 291 southbound on-ramp merges into westbound and becomes the exit-only lane for Interstate 110 southbound. Vidcap taken by Alex Nitzman (4/99).
Before the westbound ramp from southbound Florida 291 was added, signage for Interstate 110 looked like this. Signage was replaced when the new ramp opened. Vidcap taken by Alex Nitzman (4/98).
Footnotes:
i10-i110.com - visit for updates on the interchange reconstruction project
