The Destin City Council voted Monday to advertise for construction bids on the final phase of the project, which will complete a 0.42-mile two-lane roadway providing an alternative route to U.S. 98 for local traffic.

• City Manager Larry Jones told the council the bid documents were ready with two amendments. The city adjusted construction timelines to reflect requirements in city code and added language to protect underground drainage components during the construction process.

“We needed to make sure the times and the procurement documents reflected the times allowed for construction per our code,” Jones said. “We will insert some language to ensure that the drainage components – the underground tubes that are being put in – will be protected during the construction process.”

The Florida Department of Transportation issued the city a notice to proceed for advertising Phase 2 on Oct. 28, clearing the way for the city to solicit bids.

• Councilwoman Sandy Trammell made the motion to approve the request for bids with the stated adjustments.

Phase 2 will construct the remainder of the project, including roadway, curb, sidewalk, stormwater pipe, drainage structures, street lighting system, signs and pavement markings, landscaping and an irrigation system. The new roadway will connect Azalea Drive at the Benning Drive intersection to Legion Drive at the Beach Drive intersection.

The city is constructing the Crosstown Connector in two phases due to timing of construction funding availability, according to city documents. Phase 1 constructed underground stormwater retention systems, several segments of stormwater pipe and several drainage structures. City officials anticipate Phase 1 will be completed before Phase 2 begins, though there is a potential the Phase 2 contractor will need to coordinate activities with the Phase 1 contractor.

• When completed, the project will provide an alternative route connecting Commons Drive to Stahlman Avenue.

The total project cost is estimated at $12 million. Okaloosa County approved $3.3 million in tourist development tax funding in January, with the county’s contribution capped at 33% of actual project costs. The city ranked the Crosstown Connector as its top legislative priority in March, seeking $3 million in state funding. The city is responsible for remaining costs and any overages.

Proposal submissions must be received by the City Clerk’s Office at 4200 Indian Bayou Trail by 2 p.m. CT on Dec. 11. The city will open bids at that time.

The project has been in development since 2004 and aims to provide traffic relief in Destin, where visitor numbers and local traffic create bottlenecks along Highway 98, particularly during peak tourist seasons.