A stretch of Wynnehaven Beach Road that floods because of undersized culverts could finally get relief through a state transportation grant the county is pursuing for the second time.
- The Okaloosa County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to submit an application to the Florida Department of Transportation for $1.9 million through the Transportation Regional Incentive Program.
The funding would address drainage problems at the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and Wynnehaven Beach Road while positioning the area for future traffic improvements.
“This initiative addresses a stream that flows under Highway 98 that is constricted by undersized culverts that go under Wynnehaven Beach Road,” Public Works Director Scott Bitterman told commissioners during the Jan. 6 meeting.
The problem stems from a bottleneck in the drainage system. Water flows south under Highway 98 through two 8-foot by 5-foot box culverts, then immediately squeezes through two 36-inch culverts beneath Wynnehaven Beach Road. That size restriction causes the road to flood.
- Rather than installing expensive larger culverts under the existing road, the county’s plan calls for realigning Wynnehaven Beach Road to avoid the drainage pinch point while creating space for stormwater retention.
The project would also provide a location for a future traffic signal and complement FDOT’s planned six-lane expansion of Highway 98 between Santa Rosa County and Hurlburt Field. County staff has been coordinating with both FDOT and the Air Force on transportation capacity issues in the corridor.
This marks the county’s second attempt at securing TRIP funding for the project. Okaloosa applied in 2023 but did not receive an award despite scoring well, Bitterman said. The Emerald Coast Regional Council instead prioritized a different project that had a one-time cash match from a non-governmental entity.
Commissioner Sherri Cox thanked staff for persisting after the initial rejection.
“We appreciate you as staff to keep seeking them,” Cox said. “It can be daunting to certainly be declined and then make the reapplication. But we certainly appreciate you doing this. This definitely leverages the money that comes from our taxpayers for their own best use.”
The TRIP grant requires a 50-50 local match. The county has already allocated more than $3.2 million in infrastructure surtax funds for right-of-way acquisition and design work, which will satisfy that requirement.
