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Okaloosa County approves $1.5M for Traffic Management Center in Niceville

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners approved the allocation of $1.5 million from FY24 Surtax Reserves for the Traffic Management Center Project on Tuesday, April 4, 2024.  The TMC staff will be able to respond to real-time operational adjustment needs and immediate incident response tasks to improve traffic flow and dispatch emergency response to roadway […]

Rendering via Okaloosa County

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners approved the allocation of $1.5 million from FY24 Surtax Reserves for the Traffic Management Center Project on Tuesday, April 4, 2024. 

  • The new TMC will be an addition to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Niceville, FL, and will monitor the county-wide fiber optic network that provides communication to various traffic-related systems, including traffic signal controllers, CCTV cameras at intersections, and dynamic message signs. 

The TMC staff will be able to respond to real-time operational adjustment needs and immediate incident response tasks to improve traffic flow and dispatch emergency response to roadway incidents, stalled vehicles, and weather-related incidents. 

  • The facility will include redundant servers and fiber optics for a robust communications system and provide fiber optic communications with Okaloosa EOC, FDOT District office, and other regional TMCs.

The estimated cost for the building’s construction is $2,500,000, with an additional $500,000 for CEI and contingency. Okaloosa County is expecting to receive a Joint Participation Agreement from the Florida Department of Transportation in July 2024 for this project in the amount of $1,500,000. 

  • The county is also applying for a $1,000,000 grant from the Department of Defense for the development of this project.
Rendering via Okaloosa County

Colonel Patrick T. Dierig, USAF Commander, 1 Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, endorsed the TMC project, stating that it is a “critical mission multiplier that will greatly enhance military ability to respond to real world mission in a timely manner, and rapidly deploy and execute specialized and contingency operations in support of national priorities.” 

He also mentioned that the project will improve the quality of life for Hurlburt’s service members and community members by allowing them to reach the base in a timely manner to meet mission requirements.

The Infrastructure Surtax Advisory Committee approved the recommendation of allocating Surtax Reserves for this project in the amount of $1.5M at their May 15, 2024 committee meeting. Any unused Surtax funds will be returned to Surtax Reserves.

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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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