A newly built roadway on Okaloosa Island named “East Connection” is now open to one-way traffic from U.S. 98 to Santa Rosa Boulevard.
- The roadway is part of the $171-million Brooks Bridge replacement project, which includes construction of East Connection and another road named “North Connection” to maintain access and improve traffic flow once Santa Rosa Boulevard is reconstructed to pass beneath the new bridge.
In its temporary configuration, two-way traffic will be maintained from U.S. 98 to the hotel road roundabout.
Upon completion, East Connection will be a four-lane road providing access between Santa Rosa Boulevard and U.S. 98 eastbound. U.S. 98 westbound drivers will also be able to turn left on East Connection to access Santa Rosa Boulevard south of U.S. 98.
The Brooks Bridge replacement project involves constructing two new, parallel bridge structures that will expand capacity to six travel lanes. The current bridge, which opened in 1966, has four lanes.
Project completion is scheduled for summer 2027, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
2 Responses
Now the jam will be Destin Bridge
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