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Utility relocation work continues for the $171 million Brooks Bridge replacement project

Crews have cleared the Business Access Road near the Brooks Bridge Marina on Okaloosa Island and are relocating waterlines to make space for crews to construct the new westbound Brooks Bridge structure. The Business Access Road, located beneath Brooks Bridge on Okaloosa Island, was temporarily closed beginning on Monday, April 24. The road will be […]

FDOT

Crews have cleared the Business Access Road near the Brooks Bridge Marina on Okaloosa Island and are relocating waterlines to make space for crews to construct the new westbound Brooks Bridge structure.

The Business Access Road, located beneath Brooks Bridge on Okaloosa Island, was temporarily closed beginning on Monday, April 24. The road will be closed for the duration of the project between the Adventure Marina and the Brooks Bridge Marina.

According to FDOT, the road will reopen upon completion of the new Brooks Bridge. Detour signage is in place to help direct drivers.

  • U.S. 98 eastbound drivers will be detoured for access to the Brooks Bridge Marina and Alvin’s Island, located on the Business Access Road (north side of U.S. 98).
  • These drivers will continue through the Santa Rosa Boulevard intersection, turn left onto the Convention Center Access Road (located to the west of the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center), proceed to the roundabout to exit onto Santa Rosa Boulevard, then to the Business Access Road.

The $171-million Brooks Bridge replacement project includes constructing two new, parallel bridges that will increase capacity to six travel lanes from the current four-lane bridge that opened in 1966. Preliminary construction activities are now underway with project completion estimated for mid-2027.

2 Responses

  1. Jerred, thank you so much for your expertise in reporting! My husband and I have felt in the know because of your hard work on Get The Coast.

  2. Thx, Now I know “The Rest of The Story,” quote stolen by the infamous Paul Harvey. I have asked local people and THEY ARE NOT IN THE KNOW. What Bridge?

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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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