The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has issued a reminder about ongoing traffic patterns and congestion near the Brooks Bridge construction zone in downtown Fort Walton Beach.
- The intersection of U.S. 98 and Perry Avenue, described as a “book-end” for the bridge, remains a significant point of congestion, especially for visitors accessing downtown Fort Walton Beach and motorists headed eastbound toward Destin.
FDOT reiterated the current traffic configurations in place:
- Brooks Street operates as a one-way road from Florida Blanca Place to Perry Avenue, directing traffic toward downtown.
- U.S. 98 travel lanes are shifted south to accommodate the new westbound bridge construction.
- Northbound Perry Avenue is reduced to one lane south of U.S. 98, serving all thru-, right- and left-turn movements at the intersection.
With increased summer traffic, the area is particularly prone to congestion on weekends. FDOT advises drivers to seek alternate routes during peak travel times to reduce backups on northbound Perry Avenue at U.S. 98.
The current configuration at the U.S. 98 and Perry Avenue intersection will remain while the new westbound bridge is under construction. Future plans include adding a right-turn lane from northbound Perry Avenue to eastbound U.S. 98 after the westbound bridge is completed.
The $171 million Brooks Bridge replacement project, which will increase capacity from four to six travel lanes, is estimated for completion in summer 2027.
