Okaloosa County will celebrate the grand opening of the Southwest Crestview Bypass with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, May 1, at 9 a.m. on the newly completed bridge at the north side of the bypass near the corner of U.S. Highway 90 and Enzor Road.

• The bypass, completed in phases at a total cost of about $212 million, is the product of a joint effort between Okaloosa County, the Florida Department of Transportation, Triumph Gulf Coast and the City of Crestview to improve traffic flow in and around the Crestview area.

“The vision for this project was recognized years ago by County, City and community leaders who led the way to blaze this new trail for our residents,” Okaloosa County Board Chairman Trey Goodwin said. “I can’t thank our staff and Anderson Columbia enough for all of the great work that has been done and all those who helped piece together the funding for this extraordinary project.”

Motorists will be able to access the bypass beginning at noon on May 1 from Antioch Road on the west, State Road 85 on the east and U.S. Highway 90 from the north. The new roadway offers improved access to homes, businesses and the newly built Pineview School.

Funding sources for the project included state transportation grants, the Capital Improvement Program, P.J. Adams Tax Increment Financing, City of Crestview and Okaloosa County Infrastructure Surtax funds, FDOT Work Program funds and a significant portion from Triumph Gulf Coast.

The completion of the bypass also coincides with FDOT’s interchange project with Interstate 10 at P.J. Adams Parkway. Once that project is completed, it will connect to the Southwest Crestview Bypass, providing additional traffic flow around the city and access to the interstate.