City of Pensacola Florida

Drivers should be able to enjoy one of the most scenic drives in Northwest Florida again by Friday.

That’s when Gulf Islands National Seashore officials are expected to reopen J. Earle Bowden Way between Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach during a 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Today, Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach chamber and tourism officials met with seashore management at Opal Beach — the seashore’s public beach and picnic area — to plan the event.

“Everyone is excited. We’re ready to turn the road over to the public,” said deputy superintendent Nina Kelson.

The Florida Department of Transportation is expected to complete a “punch list” of final touches — striping lanes, installing signs and sweeping off sand that covered the road during this week’s high winds — by the end of the day Thursday before handing the road over to the seashore, said spokesman Tommie Speights.

The 7-mile, two lane road meanders through unspoiled sand dunes within 40 yards of the Gulf of Mexico in some places.

The proximity to the Gulf is why the popular road has been closed since Hurricane Dennis demolished it in 2005 — just days after it had reopened following repairs on extensive damage from Hurricane Ivan’s storm surge in 2004.

Sandy Johnston, executive director of the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce said reopening the road will be good for tourism.

“Where else can you go and drive 7 miles on the beach and not see a house our building?” she said.

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