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Proposal for Destin-Fort Walton Beach ferry system study gets support from Destin Council

The Destin City Council voted Monday to contribute funding to a study on a proposed ferry system between Destin and Fort Walton Beach. Mayor Bobby Wagner, who sits on the Emerald Coast Rider cooperative board, said Route 30 between Fort Walton Beach and Destin has been one of the least efficient based on preliminary data from HDR’s […]

Destin Mayor Bobby Wagner gives his proposal for the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Ferry System to the Destin City Council

The Destin City Council voted Monday to contribute funding to a study on a proposed ferry system between Destin and Fort Walton Beach.

  • The council approved $12,786 toward a $51,144 feasibility study on the ferry system. The study would be done by HDR, the firm conducting an analysis of the Emerald Coast Rider public transportation system for Okaloosa County.

Mayor Bobby Wagner, who sits on the Emerald Coast Rider cooperative board, said Route 30 between Fort Walton Beach and Destin has been one of the least efficient based on preliminary data from HDR’s analysis. He proposed the ferry idea as an alternative.

The additional funding approved Monday would allow HDR to expand its study by 90 days to include analysis of the ferry system’s feasibility.

Wagner said the goal is to provide more of a commercial transit option to alleviate traffic congestion on Highway 98. He said it could also help demonstrate higher ridership numbers to the state to get more funding for improving overall public transportation in the area.

  • The Destin council’s funding is contingent on the Fort Walton Beach City Council contributing $12,786 and the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners contributing $25,572. The county would provide 50% under Wagner’s proposal.

Councilmen Jim Bagby and Dewey Destin said they would support doing the study but expressed skepticism about the ferry system’s viability long-term, citing struggles in nearby Pensacola.

Councilman Kevin Schmidt said he looks forward to seeing the study results, noting Fort Walton Beach and Destin are different towns than Pensacola. He said the city’s new property at the foot of the Destin Bridge and potential future walk under the bridge offer possibilities to connect to a ferry system.

  • Wagner tested the travel time and said the commute from the FWB Landing to Capt. Royal Melvin Park is around 32 minutes.
  • If the ferry docked at the bridge, it could cut the commute to around 22 minutes.

The Mayor said the study would provide data to determine whether a ferry is feasible or if the city needs to consider other transportation options.

Mayor Wagner also said that Baytowne Wharf has expressed interest in expanding the ferry system to its marina if the route between Fort Walton Beach and Destin proves viable.

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Community Comments

“Very glad to see this project going through,we don’t live here but we brought our bikes here from misssouri and drove over to 30A to ride”
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“I suggest revising this statement: "doubling the number of travel lanes from the current four to six" since doubling four does not yield six.”
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“No there was never one here.”
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“Sad that I know him and had no idea!”
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“One of the most important issue regarding this matter is: was this x-con provided with an opportunity to learn a trade while locked up for 327 months or was he...”
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“Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? I seriously question the integrity of the yellow media and low-intelligence commenters for spewing such damagaing rhetoric before this case has even been...”
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“I take it that he only did half of 27 years which is 13 1/2 years .He apparently missed his inmate friends. What made him think he could get away...”
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“How can we get this started at Bluewater ? yeah Mrs Crist , still loving and making a difference in children’s lives .”
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“This is such an awesome idea! Ms. Crist was my daughter Valerie's 2nd grade teacher when Valerie attended Bluewater Elementary School! Ms. Crist was born to teach!! Nellie Bogar, Youth...”
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