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Highway 98 to be closed to through traffic to reinstall Hurlburt Field pedestrian bridge – Nov. 5-6

U.S. Highway 98 will be closed to through traffic on Nov. 5-6 to reinstall the Hurlburt Field pedestrian bridge. At 5 p.m. on Nov. 5, Highway 98 will be reduced to two lanes. At 10 p.m. Highway 98 will be closed. At 8 a.m. on Nov. 6, Highway 98 will be reopened to two lanes. At […]

Photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Callaway

U.S. Highway 98 will be closed to through traffic on Nov. 5-6 to reinstall the Hurlburt Field pedestrian bridge.

  • At 5 p.m. on Nov. 5, Highway 98 will be reduced to two lanes.
  • At 10 p.m. Highway 98 will be closed.
  • At 8 a.m. on Nov. 6, Highway 98 will be reopened to two lanes.
  • At 10 a.m., Highway 98 will be fully reopened.

According to a press release, Non-DoD ID cardholder traffic will need to use I-10, from the east or from the west to bypass this area during the closure period.

DoD ID Cardholder traffic will be allowed from the Hurlburt Soundside area on Cody Ave to the main base and back, through the Highway 98 underpass, during the entire time period. 

  • Traffic on Cody will not be allowed to enter Highway 98, to the east or west, while Highway 98 is closed.  

DoD ID card holders will be able to use the temporary McMillian gate on Highway 98, west of the pedestrian bridge, and the Hurlburt Field East gate while Highway 98 is closed.  

The pedestrian bridge was removed Oct. 23, 2021, and underwent a year of maintenance to repair damage caused by flooding and erosion detected following Hurricane Sally in 2020.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Callaway

The original period of performance for the repair project was six months, but in the spring of 2022, the contractors performed ultrasonic testing on the bridge to provide further detailed analysis of the bridge and identified unforeseen repair requirements that were not previously included in the original wording of the contract.

  • The required contract completion date is 30 Jan 23, but may be completed sooner.
Photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Callaway

Repairs include improvements to the storm drainage area near the bridge and strengthened bridge support with sheet piles to address erosion concerns. The repairs also addressed soil movement concerns around the bridge support.

The bridge structure was reinforced with metal plates on the bottom span of the structure with similar strengthening efforts at the existing bolted splice connections. Furthermore, the entire structure was repainted, which will help with corrosion concerns from the environmental conditions in the area.

According to Hurlburt Field officials, these repairs will strengthen the bridge, resulting in a more robust structure than the original design.

The bridge will not immediately be re-opened to pedestrian traffic, as there is still work to be done while the bridge is in place. Hurlburt leadership expects to re-open to pedestrian traffic prior to Christmas.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Callaway

2 Responses

  1. Divert to I-10, that’s crazy! Hurlburt can’t accommodate the locals to transition the base for 12 hours?

  2. Why is this starting at 10pm? This needs to be done in the middle of the night starting at midnight minimum, this is ridiculous.

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Community Comments

“I’m a great friend and brother to Pnut! You’ll never meet a more personable and friendly guy!! Being familiar with his service and dedication to the community, this is a...”
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“Tourism increase when you can't get anywhere by car because of the traffic? Yeah we need more of that.”
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“If it rains on Sunday, is there a back up plan?”
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“That's part of Liza Jackson park, which is being renovated. It says it in the article.”
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“It's from the bed tax otherwise known as tourism money from the hotels. It can only be used to promote tourism. There isn't local taxpayer money.”
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“How will this impact owners? It seems there are quite a few of these condos coming on the market this spring.”
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“If these property owners want to deny others access to the beach because it’s their property, then those private property owners are responsible for the beach renourishment cost. Why should...”
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“waaay too short for PGA though (and lack of parking). theyd have to play windswept or something”
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“My vote is for it to be a public owned event space that can actually be rented out for a reasonable cost to individuals and free for not for profit...”
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“I used to work at the Red Mobster 15 or more years ago making the biscuits and baking potatoes”
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