With the forced closure of the new Pensacola Bay Bridge traffic has increased dramatically during the morning and afternoon commute from Gulf Breeze to Pensacola. In the afternoons a long line of cars often backs up on Interstate 10 to get off at Exit 22, which leads to the Garcon Point Bridge. The Florida Highway Patrol says traffic around the exit  has doubled from 8,000 cars an hour on average to 16,000 or 17,000 cars an hour. The Florida Department of Transportation is hoping to improve the situation by making emergency improvements on I-10 at Avalon Boulevard. Workers will extend the ramp at Exit 22 and widen it to two lanes to allow more traffic and reduce backups on the interstate. Avalon Boulevard southbound will also be widened. Crews will use temporary asphalt, which will be in place for several months.