Site Navigation Alabama Florida Georgia Louisiana Mississippi North Carolina South Carolina Tennessee     Florida 79 Florida 79 North Florida 79 takes a quick exit of the built-up areas of Panama City Beach from U.S. 98 (Panama City Beach) northward. The highway carries four lanes through to West Bay. Photo taken 07/31/06. Florida 79 South Florida 79 departs junction Florida 20 within the town of Ebro. There's not much to Ebro outside its Greyhound Track. The municipal complex lies along the northbound side of the state road here. Photo taken 08/03/08. The unincorporated community of West Bay is a ten mile drive south from Ebro. Florida 79 ends in Panama City Beach. Photo taken 08/03/08. Four-laning is underway along Florida 79 in southern Washington County as of Summer 2008. The corridor is to be completely widened southward to Panama City as part of the Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor Authority's master plan. Photo taken 08/03/08. Florida 79 spans Pine Log Creek into Bay County. A new northbound bridge is being built to accommodate the expansion. Photo taken 08/03/08. Travelers utilized the future southbound lanes at the time of this photograph as crews rebuilt the original roadway for northbound traffic. This is why the Bay County 2296 shield resides on the left-hand side of the roadway. Photo taken 08/03/08. Bay County 2296 follows Pine Log Road west although FDOT does not officially recognize the route. Pine Log Road consists of a paved highway west to Otter Creek Bridge Road, and a dirt road to a settlement along Pine Log Creek. Photo taken 08/03/08. Widening continues along Florida 79 southward from Pine Log State Forest to Woodville. Photos taken 08/03/08. Steelfield Road meets Florida 79 at Woodville, south of the 2008-widening project. Steelfield Road stems west into the Point Washington W.M.A., serving a handful of dwellings along the way. Photo taken 08/03/08. Initial tree removal was underway for the next phase of four-laning along Florida 79 south between Woodville and West Bay. Photo taken 08/03/08. Entering West Bay along Florida 79 south. The approach to the B.V. Buchanan Bridge is already widened to four lanes. Photo taken 08/03/08. Bay County 388 skims the northern reaches of West Bay to Florida 77 at Vicksburg. The county road travels 12.3 miles on its initial leg. Significant along the route is the construction site of the new Panama City - Bay County International Airport, a 1,300-acre facility currently being built about midway between Florida 77 and 79. Opening of the facility is hoped for winter 2010. Photo taken 08/03/08. Florida 79 ascends across the Intracoastal Waterway south of Bay County 388. Photo taken 08/03/08. The original two-lane bridge carries the name B.V. Buchanan Bridge. Buchanan was a county commissioner between 1953-55. An adjacent park and boat ramp also carries his name. Photo taken 08/03/08. School Drive and Side Camp Road intersect Florida 79 south of the Intracoastal Waterway in West Bay. Photo taken 08/03/08. Four-laning is already complete along Florida 79 leading south from West Bay to Panama City Beach. Speed limits are posted at 65 mph. Photo taken 08/03/08. In case one forgets, a second Florida 79 shield is posted after School Drive. Photo taken 08/03/08. A pair of U.S. 98 shields usher in Panama City as Florida 79 (North Arnold Road) approaches Panama City Beach Parkway. Photo taken 08/03/08. Panama City Beach Parkway carries U.S. 98 on an original bypass routing of the coastal areas. Development has encroached much of the original open space along the route, but U.S. 98 remains the fastest way east to Panama City and west to Walton County. Photo taken 07/31/06. Florida 79 reduces to two overall lanes along South Arnold Road between U.S. 98 and Florida 30 (Front Beach Road). Photo taken 08/03/08. A congested area ahead sign, which means the department of transportation has given up the possibility of improving the Florida 79 traffic situation! Photo taken 08/03/08. U.S. 98 Alternate was decommissioned in 2006 by FDOT and AASHTO, yet several signs remain along and for Front Beach Road including the junction shield on Florida 79 (S Arnold Road) south. Photo taken 08/03/08. Typical of northwest Florida state road ends, Florida 79 splits into a "Y" for interests west to West Panama City Beach and Sunnyside and east through the heart of Panama City Beach. Photo taken 08/03/08. Florida 79 ends without much fanfare via the east branch of the "Y" with Florida 30 (Front Beach Road). Photo taken 08/03/08. Page Updated August 13, 2008.