Construction activities are underway for the $171-million Brooks Bridge replacement project in Fort Walton Beach. The project includes constructing two new parallel bridges that will increase capacity to six travel lanes.
- The land-based project work zone extends along U.S. 98 from west of Perry Avenue to Pier Road and includes the side streets beneath the Brooks Bridge in Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island.
- On the water, the project work zone extends 1,000-feet in all directions from the bridge construction activities.
The Brooks Bridge construction zone extends into the Okaloosa County “minimum wake zone” within the Santa Rosa Sound. Any vessel operating in a speed zone posted as “Slow Down – Minimum Wake” must operate fully off-plane and be completely settled in the water.
In addition to being a minimum wake zone, the construction zone extends 1,000-feet from all Brooks Bridge construction activities. In the active work zone, a
vessel’s wake must not be excessive nor create a hazard for other vessels, construction equipment, or workers, according to FDOT.
- “Work zone safety is critical, whether it’s in your car on the roadways, or in your boat near the Brooks Bridge construction site,” wrote FDOT in a press release. “Practicing safe behaviors, like eliminating distractions and reducing speed, can help save lives.”
According to FDOT, all motorized watercraft are required to utilize the navigational channel within the construction zone. Access to the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail will be maintained and marked through the east side of the construction zone along Okaloosa Island.
For the latest on all things Brooks Bridge, head to ilovefwb.com.
One Response
Hello. I’ve always wondered why the Emerald Coast ( namely FWB & Destin area) doesn’t utilize our ways for locals and tourist by providing water taxis? Why not provide parking lots and ramps downtown for folks to leave their cars and get to Destin beach and other entertainment? It seems to me that water taxis running back and forth daily during peak Spring & Summer seasons would put a big dent in traffic congestion & parking issues. I’m actually surprised that in this area where boating is such a huge part of the lifestyle, no one is making any money on this alternate concept for travel in our area. Taxis could be central to The Landing with service from FWB TO DESTIN & FWB to Navarre . One fee for round trip rides good for 1-3hr time frames or all day passes. Genius, we’ll at least in my humble opinion.