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Highway 98 traffic shift near Brooks Bridge on Okaloosa Island begins this week

The $171 million Brooks Bridge Replacement Project will shift U.S. 98 travel lanes south onto temporary lanes between Brooks Bridge and Pier Road on Okaloosa Island this week.
A recent aerial view of the Brooks Bridge construction zone over the Santa Rosa Sound. Work is currently focused on building the new westbound bridge structure, located north of the existing bridge. (Source: FDOT)

A significant traffic change is set to take place this week on U.S. 98 near the Brooks Bridge on Okaloosa Island, as part of an ongoing bridge replacement project.

  • The U.S. 98 travel lanes between Brooks Bridge and Pier Road will be shifted south onto temporary travel lanes. This move is designed to create space for construction crews to begin work on the new westbound Brooks Bridge structure.

Despite the shift, two U.S. 98 travel lanes will remain open in each direction, maintaining current traffic capacity through the construction zone.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) advises that intermittent lane closures may occur on U.S. 98 from Ferry Road to Pier Road between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., Sunday through Thursday.

This traffic shift is part of the larger $171 million Brooks Bridge Replacement Project. The project aims to replace the current four-lane bridge, which opened in 1966, with two new parallel bridges that will increase capacity to six travel lanes.

  • FDOT estimates the project will be completed in summer 2027.

Drivers are urged to exercise caution when traveling through the work zone, especially at night. FDOT also reminds motorists to be alert for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.

All construction activities are weather-dependent and may be subject to delays or rescheduling in case of inclement weather.

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Fred commented on FDOT to discuss widening Highway 98 on Okaloosa Island, new Destin Bridge at public meeting
“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...”
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Bruce Johnson commented on FDOT renderings show proposed changes to Highway 98 across Okaloosa Island
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“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?”
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