After years of negotiations, Okaloosa County officials unanimously ratified the signature on an easement from Eglin Air Force Base to allow construction of a new multi-use pathway parallel to U.S. 98 along Okaloosa Island.
- The 12-foot wide pathway will stretch from Beasley Park to the Destin (Marler) Bridge, allowing bicyclists and pedestrians to travel the scenic route separate from traffic.
- County leaders have pushed for the project for nearly five years to improve safety for non-motorists.
“I really am excited. We’re going to finally have a bike path from bridge-to-bridge,” said Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel.
The county has worked extensively with Eglin and FDOT staff over the past 5 years to secure approvals for the 4.3-mile path, which sits on federal land controlled by the Air Force base. The signed easement grants Okaloosa permission construct, operate and maintain the improvements.
Jason Autrey, public works director for the county, updated commissioners at their Jan. 2 meeting that the final easement was ready for their approval. Because the process took several years, then-Chairman Trey Goodwin had already signed the documents allowing planners to move the project forward while awaiting the board’s formal backing this month.
- “For several years, we’ve been working on the bridge-to-bridge path,” said Autrey. “The big piece of that was getting an easement from Eglin Air Force Base.”
The agreement requires the county fund the pathway’s construction and ongoing maintenance. It also obligates the county to upgrade access points between the highway and dunes, expand parking capacity at beach access ways, and better controls near the Marler Bridge.
“It’s not just putting down asphalt pathway,” added Autrey. “There are some other improvements associated with it and that was a very important task of working with Eglin. We’re excited about it and can’t wait to get it going.”
Ketchel said achieving safer bike access on Okaloosa Island has been a priority since her brother died in a cycling accident as a teenager.
- “My brother, Stephen Newcomer, was killed on a bicycle when he was 17-years old,” she said. “That has been my lifelong effort to get bike paths in place. That’s my heart.”
The project is estimated to cost $4-5 million and will be funded through a state grants and Tourist Development dollars.
11 Responses
SUPER!
Great. More trash on our beaches from tourists. One of the last bastions for locals to get away from tourods to fish,surf and enjoy pristine beaches. Thanks again from the locals! Corupt politicians changing the landscape from their beach front properties!! Mahalo
The entire economy of Okaloosa is dependent on outside populations such as our cherish military transient population and of course, the tourists, like all of Florida. People all over the states and the globe come to enjoy our beaches and pay good money to be here. The land is your land and this land is my land.
So trash trumps saving lives to you?
I think Minibikes could be option as well for this bridge.
Just a few of points of concern to mention; 1. Is there consideration going to be made to protect the bikers/pedestrians such as guard rails? 2. Is it going to be elevated such that it doesn’t washout with the high surf/storm/flooding conditions that we get? 3. Is there consideration for not allowing parking along the pathway thus blocking access to the users?
So pleased I am an avid cyclist riding 30 miles on average a day. This is awesome and I hope that this momentum continues. It is dangerous when driver’s are not considerate and put my life at risk. I hope that public education aligns with this project and I can feel comfortable that I can enjoy my passion in safety.
It’s about damn time! Officials need to get the bike lanes OFF the highway too. Every day I see distracted drivers weaving in and out of the bike lanes sometimes driving in them for miles.
As a teen I used to ride my bike from Racetrack Road to the beach. Had to ride on the road to avoid sandspurs which easily punctured bike tires. As the years went by the roads became more dangerous to travel. I’m not sure this would have helped me make it to the beach but it is a nice ride. I just hope maintenance does include trash pickup.
I agree that biking in this area has become more dangerous than it was 10 years ago. This path is a great start to some safer bike lanes. And most bikers don’t litter! Please make the path off limits to motorized things.
I hope 98 is elevated is elevated for flooding, along with the foot path…