Search
Close this search box.

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.

Renderings

PROMOTION

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.

Join the conversation...

Continue reading 👇

Community Comments

“Destin is ruined. Worked my whole adult life there left before it went dark.👋😎 Y'all can have it.”
Respond
“Y'all can have destin. It's too dark for me”
Respond
“So thankful for smart policeman that knew about the pond/child draw to water of the autistic. If not for his knowledge this child would have been out in the mosquitos...”
Respond
“Have porch monkeys taken over, I have lived in pcola my whole and they fack everything up. We have chicken bone beach to deal with. Oh I'm 67 and born...”
Respond
Ken commented on WordroW: June 4, 2026
“1:05, 4 attempts”
Respond
“I forgot to mention, I may even cross the new bridge into downtown and have a beer at one of the local bars, after all, the last time I crossed...”
Respond
“I'm going to be fair and say, I'm pretty impressed by the progress of the new bridge. After all, it's a heavily used highway and space is very limited, businesses...”
Respond
“No need to worry. You need a boat OR you need excellent swimming skills to get to Crab Island. The "people" who largely makeup these takeovers possess neither. Lol...”
Respond
Scott Schaeffler commented on WordroW: June 4, 2026
“1:22; 4 attempts”
Respond

GET OUR FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER

Get the weekday email that actually makes reading local news enjoyable again.