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Highway 98 traffic to shift near Brooks Bridge on Okaloosa Island

A traffic shift on U.S. Highway 98 near Brooks Bridge is set to begin the week of July 8 as part of the ongoing Brooks Bridge Replacement Project.

A traffic shift on U.S. Highway 98 near Brooks Bridge is set to begin the week of July 8 as part of the ongoing Brooks Bridge Replacement Project.

The U.S. 98 travel lanes between Brooks Bridge and Pier Road on Okaloosa Island will be shifted south onto temporary lanes. This change will create space for construction crews to build the new westbound Brooks Bridge structure. Two travel lanes will remain open in each direction during this phase of the project.

  • Drivers should be aware that intermittent lane closures on U.S. 98 from Ferry Road to Pier Road may occur between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.

The $171 million Brooks Bridge Replacement Project aims to increase capacity from the current four-lane bridge to six travel lanes. The project includes the construction of two new, parallel bridges to replace the existing structure, which opened in 1966.

Weather permitting, the project is estimated to be completed by summer 2027. Officials remind drivers to use caution when traveling through the work zone, especially at night, and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.

All construction activities are subject to weather conditions and may be delayed or rescheduled in case of inclement weather.

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Community Comments

“The Big U! The NMU supplied the unlicensed crew and when we lost this ship and its jobs and when U.S. Lines went bankrupt, we were on our way to...”
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“Highschool is finna be more crowed now. We need another highschool not a middle or elementary school.”
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“This is bittersweet. I spent a wonderful week in Cay Sal Banks on the Pilot in 2006. I will have to go pay her a visit soon....”
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“I agree with Jerome. What will this accomplish since both ends are only 4 lanes?”
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“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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“This will not make a difference for traffic passing through the center of Destin along Rt. 98. The smart option is to complete the Brooks Bridge and intersection in Ft...”
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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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“It would be a money pit let’s sink it for the tourists who we don’t have enough of so more will come”
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“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...”
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