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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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4 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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“I agree with Jerome. What will this accomplish since both ends are only 4 lanes?”
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