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FDOT to discuss widening Highway 98 on Okaloosa Island, new Destin Bridge at public meeting

The Florida Department of Transportation announced plans to evaluate expanding 5.1 miles of U.S. 98 from four to six lanes and replacing the Destin Bridge in Okaloosa County.
Source: Okaloosa County Public Information Office

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold a hybrid public meeting next month to discuss proposed improvements to U.S. Highway 98, including the expansion of a 5.1-mile stretch of roadway and replacement of the Destin Bridge in Okaloosa County.

  • The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. CST, with both virtual and in-person attendance options available. In-person participants can attend at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center, located at 1250 Miracle Strip Parkway SE.

The project spans from the east end of Brooks Bridge to the east end of the Destin Bridge. FDOT will evaluate converting the current four-lane roadway into a six-lane thoroughfare while addressing existing safety issues along the corridor.

Project materials, including maps and drawings, will be available for online review beginning Tuesday, Nov. 5, at noon CST on www.nwflroads.com/calendar. The public can submit comments about the project until Friday, Dec. 13.

Virtual attendees must pre-register for the meeting, while pre-registration is encouraged for in-person participants. Those interested in attending virtually can access the meeting through www.nwflroads.com/calendar.

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6 Responses

  1. Traffic moves pretty well on that stretch of 98, I don’t see the need to waste the money. Maybe do something to deal with the traffic in Destin, and Mary Esther.

  2. Doesn’t it still end up with 4 lanes on either end after bridges? Seems more aesthetic than a traffic plan. Which is nice too but does it increase the function?

  3. The parking lot at McGuires would disappear along with the parcel that Destin purchased at the bridge..

    Flooding on Okaloosa Island would close an expensive update to 98 , at least 6 feet of roadbed would be needed to keep the road open to a low surge at high tide.

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Community Comments

“Where is this? We have no Destin bridge. We have the Marler bridge and the mid bay bridge.”
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“As a landscape architect who grew up in FWB in my formative years, I am pleased to see a very progressive move to create great waterfront public space! Here's to...”
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“They won't takedown the emerald grand either but hopefully a hurricane will eventually... They didn't even drill down to bedrock when they built that pos... It's straight up on shifting...”
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“Not a fishing village at all anymore . Its a snooty country club now. I grew up there and I can't even stand the place anymore. But calling it a...”
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“Something must be done to improve not only this intersection but the overall traffic congestion. Thank you for addressing this important issue.”
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“What about the wooden billboard on the south side of the highway on the west side of the bridge that faces west that says welcome to Destin the luckiest fishing...”
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“Good it was an eyesore i hope they take down all there tacky billboards Destin used to be nice but its grown out of control now in there zest for...”
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“Most of the traffic lights are on Highway 98. Why aren't there more traffic lights when one needs to turn East or West onto 98? Those who try to turn...”
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“How do we send a letter to support this redesign?”
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“My name is Mike G on May 8 2023 .i was on my trike motorcycle in the far left turning lane going west the lane was open to the light...”
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