Crews have finished placing concrete for the deck of the new westbound Brooks Bridge, a step the Florida Department of Transportation called a major milestone in the bridge replacement project.
FDOT announced Wednesday that crews completed the concrete placement for the westbound structure. Much of the work took place at night, when cooler temperatures slow moisture evaporation and help the concrete cure properly to meet project specifications, according to the agency.
With the main span concrete placement complete, crews will focus on the work needed to open the new structure to traffic. FDOT said that work includes:
- Building the remaining bridge components
- Completing roadway connections
- Installing barrier walls, drainage, lighting and other supporting features
FDOT’s announcement did not include a date for when traffic will move onto the new westbound bridge.
In a June update to the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce board, Ed Hudec said westbound traffic was scheduled to shift to the new structure in September or October, with eastbound traffic following six to eight weeks later. Hudec oversees construction engineering inspection for FDOT on the project. He said all traffic should be on the new bridge by the end of the year, and demolition of the existing span would begin in early January.
Once complete, the westbound structure will be one of two parallel bridges replacing the existing Brooks Bridge, which opened in 1966. Together, the new bridges will provide six travel lanes, wider shoulders and improved accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The $171 million Brooks Bridge Replacement Project is scheduled for completion in early 2029, according to FDOT.
