Search
Close this search box.

Brooks Bridge replacement project progresses with new North Connection

Construction on the Brooks Bridge Replacement Project is advancing, with a new “North Connection” taking shape to link U.S. 98 and Santa Rosa Boulevard on Okaloosa Island. An artist’s rendering provided by FDOT illustrates several key features of the completed project: The $171 million project aims to replace the current four-lane bridge, which opened in 1966, […]

Construction on the Brooks Bridge Replacement Project is advancing, with a new “North Connection” taking shape to link U.S. 98 and Santa Rosa Boulevard on Okaloosa Island.

  • The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) released a recent aerial photo showcasing the progress of the North Connection, which is being built between the Convention Center and Santa Rosa Boulevard.

An artist’s rendering provided by FDOT illustrates several key features of the completed project:

  • Santa Rosa Boulevard will be reconstructed to pass beneath the new Brooks Bridge structure.
  • A dedicated access ramp will connect the North Connection to the U.S. 98 westbound travel lane across Brooks Bridge.
  • A dedicated turn lane from U.S. 98 westbound onto the new Northbound Connection will allow drivers to access Santa Rosa Boulevard without making a left turn across U.S. 98 traffic.
Rendering

The $171 million project aims to replace the current four-lane bridge, which opened in 1966, with two new parallel bridges. This expansion will increase capacity to six travel lanes, addressing growing traffic concerns in the area.

FDOT estimates the Brooks Bridge replacement project will be completed by summer 2027.

6 Responses

  1. These pix make Zero sense to me. What direction is north? Where’s the bridge?

    1. In the top picture, you can see Alvin’s Island the Marina in the top right corner. Those two buildings are just to the east of the bridge. This picture is looking west. On the left side of the picture (in the middle), you can see the corner of the parking garage for the Destin-FWB Convention Center.

  2. There doesn’t seem to be an off ramp or access for east bound traffic to get to Santa Rosa blvd. I guess now there’s going to be a ton of people making u-turns by the gulfarium traffic light…that’s gonna turn into the next mess if it isn’t addressed.

Join the conversation...

Continue reading 👇

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”
Respond
“I suggest revising this statement: "doubling the number of travel lanes from the current four to six" since doubling four does not yield six.”
Respond
“No there was never one here.”
Respond
“Sad that I know him and had no idea!”
Respond
“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...”
Respond
“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...”
Respond
“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...”
Respond
“How can we get this started at Bluewater ? yeah Mrs Crist , still loving and making a difference in children’s lives .”
Respond
“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...”
Respond