Nearly all of Okaloosa County’s county-maintained dirt roads, almost 200 miles, are now paved because of the voter-approved infrastructure surtax, according to the county.

• The county stabilized 180 miles of dirt roads in four years, leaving only a handful of roadways to be paved, the county said.

The effort started in 2020 as a “50 in 5” project by then-Commissioner Nathan Boyles, with a goal of stabilizing 50 miles of dirt roads in five years. The project ultimately stabilized all publicly maintained dirt roads with a limerock base, capped with either a chip-seal or hot-mix application.

The roads are located in north Okaloosa County.

The county said the improvements will give drivers a safer and smoother experience. Stabilized roads also allow hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to be saved in maintenance and fuel costs that were previously spent repairing roads washed out after rain events, according to the county.

“These are the types of projects that the residents expect from their government,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Trey Goodwin. “While this success benefits motorists in north Okaloosa County, we are committed to enhancing road, stormwater and public safety infrastructure throughout the entire County because that is what the public demanded in 2018 and we are resolute in this effort.”

Boyles, who now serves as a State Representative, said he is pleased to see the county carry the work forward and that he regularly drives the improved roads himself.

“I’m thrilled that the County has continued this important effort for the residents of Okaloosa County,” Boyles said. “As a resident of Okaloosa County, I enjoy traveling on these improved roadways regularly and as a taxpayer, I am proud that our County continues to wisely invest taxpayer money in infrastructure that makes our lives better and lowers long-term maintenance costs.”