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$9.2 million construction project underway for two intersections on Racetrack Road in Fort Walton Beach

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has embarked on a $9.2 million construction project to enhance the Mar Walt Drive and Denton Boulevard Intersections on Racetrack Road. At the Mar Walt Drive intersection, several changes are in the works to enhance efficiency and safety. The first improvement begins westbound on Racetrack Road. A right turn […]

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has embarked on a $9.2 million construction project to enhance the Mar Walt Drive and Denton Boulevard Intersections on Racetrack Road.

  • These improvements, which began June 5, 2023, are aimed at improving traffic flow and safety at these key intersections in Fort Walton Beach, according to FDOT.

At the Mar Walt Drive intersection, several changes are in the works to enhance efficiency and safety. The first improvement begins westbound on Racetrack Road. A right turn lane will be added from Racetrack Road, turning north onto Mar Walt Drive.

  • The second improvement will eliminate the existing median opening located just east of the Mar Walt Drive Intersection. Traffic moving eastbound will advance through the Mar Walt Drive Intersection and can return westbound by making a U-turn at Richpien Road.
  • The third improvement is a dedicated opening for westbound traffic that will be added on Racetrack Road, east of the intersection. This will allow westbound traffic to make a left turn into the Winrock Plaza.

The Denton Boulevard intersection will also undergo enhancements as part of these projects. Right-turn lanes will be added in all four directions, as well as adjusting the left-turn lanes to provide better sight distance for motorists turning left from Racetrack Road onto Denton Boulevard. 

Along with the roadway improvements, the projects also include signal replacements, minor drainage enhancements, and upgrades to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The construction for these enhancements will span approximately 0.246 miles along Racetrack Road with a timeline of 300 days. Motorists are advised to exercise caution and adhere to any temporary traffic diversions or speed limit adjustments implemented during the construction period.

WATCH: Take a look at the traffic changes

4 Responses

  1. While I applaud the work being done to make improvements to these areas of our roadways, I am concerned about the use of crumb rubber as a means of keeping the clay fill from entering the stormwater drains/inlets. It appears that some of the bags holding the crumb rubber have broken thereby allowing not only clay to enter our waterways, but the crumb rubber as well. Both of these are detrimental to our waterways. Please take the necesary precautions to stop this from happening at this project site or any other future project sites. It’s imperative that we all work together to protect our waterways. Thank you.

  2. Racetrack Rd sewer repairs have caused my car suspension to need repairs. The sewer access plates are now potholes which need to be corrected. The quality of the work for reinstalling the plates is very poor at best. The contractor should be required by DOT to fix Racetrack Rd potholes since damage to vehicles is happening on a daily basis.

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