PENSACOLA – Lawsuits on behalf of scores of local businesses and individuals have been filed against the construction firm Skanska USA, whose barges became unmoored during Hurricane Sally and caused crippling damage to a key commuter bridge.
Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz PLLC filed many of these cases in the First Judicial Circuit Court in Escambia County. The owners of businesses such as Bagelheads in Pensacola and Flowers by Yoko in Gulf Breeze argue that they sustained devastating economic losses as a result of the closure of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in September.
Maritza Ferreira, a Skanska spokeswoman, told the Florida Record that she couldn’t comment on matters related to active or pending legislation. Ferreira referred the Record to some previous company statements about the storm-related damage that resulted from 27 displaced barges – 23 of which ran aground as a result of the Category 2 hurricane pounding the coastline.
“Equipment and barges were secured appropriately in accordance with the expected forecast,” the company’s statement says. “On Monday (Sept. 14), the storm forecast unexpectedly and dramatically shifted east. Storm surge and sea conditions deteriorated rapidly due to the storm’s sudden intensification, rendering it impossible from that point for our workers to safely make hurricane-level preparations.”
In turn, three barges slammed into the Pensacola Bay Bridge, which is now being rebuilt by companies under contract with the Florida Department of Transportation. The construction phase will continue through March 2021, and the state has temporarily stopped collecting tolls on a nearby bridge to ease the burdens on people commuting between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze.
“At this time, tolls on the Garcon Point Bridge have been suspended through Sunday, Dec. 13,” Ian Satter, spokesman for Florida DOT, said in an email. “The extension allows the Garcon Point Bridge to continue serving as a temporary detour route while the Pensacola Bay Bridge is being repaired. …”
The lawsuits claim Skanska had knowledge of the approaching storm last September and yet did not carry out its own hurricane preparedness procedures.
“Skanska knew of possible tropical storm-force winds (at minimum) beginning, at the earliest, on September 11th (the Friday before the hurricane made landfall), yet it chose to do nothing,” one of the claims states.
Several of the complaints allege gross negligence, breach of contract, and public and private nuisance charges.
Skanska’s insurers, meanwhile, are currently reviewing claims relating directly to property damage from the wayward barges.
“Skanska and our insurers are in communication and have met with all known affected parties who have reported property damage as a result of our barges and equipment,” the company said in a previous statement.