Ahead of the upcoming open house event for the Brooks Bridge replacement project in Fort Walton Beach, the Florida Department of Transportation has released new renderings and maps of the new bridge.
The $171-million replacement project includes constructing two new parallel bridges over the Santa Rosa Sound in Okaloosa County. The bridge will have an increased capacity of six travel lanes versus the current four-lane bridge that opened in 1966. Additional Improvements:
- New sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and Twelve-foot shared-use paths to aid bicycle and pedestrian safety.
- Reconstructing adjacent intersections to improve traffic flow.
- Stormwater enhancements for better drainage and to reduce the potential for flooding.
- Traffic signal and intelligent transportation system (ITS) upgrades to improve safety and mobility.
- Increasing the navigational channel vertical clearance (from 50 to 65 feet) and the horizontal
- clearance (from 140 to 150 feet) to better accommodate marine traffic.
Preliminary construction activities are now underway with project completion estimated for mid-2027.
Click on each image to enlarge.
31 Responses
Beautiful. Can’t wait to see it in reality.
I still think there will be traffic jams with the traffic lights going eastbound. Not much relief for the locals.
Looks good, no traffic lights on the island side and the roundabout good job
Agree!
Look again, there are 2 sets of lights on the island side that will still back traffic up. The already existing intersection at the convention center and Gulfarium. But before that, there is a light that will stop eastbound traffic on 98 for cars going westbound to get to SRB and hotels, and to exit there to get on 98 eastbound. So no, there will still be lights backing up traffic at both ends of the bridge lol
I agree. The jams have always been bad at that intersection and I do not see that it is being addressed at all.
Sure it is- a huge issue was the Santa Rosa Blvd Light at the foot of the bridge- that’s been eliminated, and traffic should flow a lot better
Its not been eliminated – its been moved further east is all. There is currently two stop lights on Okaloosa Island and after this project there will still be two stop lights on Okaloosa Island. I thought plans called for one of these two stop lights to be a huge roundabout such that eliminating one of our current two will make things quicker. However, keeping both lights (one moving east) – I don’t see how this will reduce congestion or speed traffic through Okaloosa Island.
Agree, looking at the one in front of Holiday Inn Express turning west bound from 98w bound lanes, seem redundant.
They could easily exit on east side twd round about before working west on santa rosa Blvd. Some entity has demanded or paid for additional access.
Round the Mound Project may resolve Perry Light.
West bound 98, 3lane to 2lane w/ 1lane designated turn on to Perry Ave will cause issues as uneducated/familiar tourists will find away to clog up. More signs, Not
I was really hoping the ugly unattractive billboard was coming down and not replaced, there at foot of bridge.
FWB needs less eyesores, clean up the blight, attract small businesses that promote some culture and entertainment.
A new more efficient island access is coming. 60 yrs it’s time.
Whats the height of the new Bridge? Sailor
65′
Good to see real bike and walking paths off roadway! With mixed usage I hope there will be lanes marked to separate bikes and pedestrians
Specs require 65′ vertical clearance.
I would be nice if we could use golf carts to cross the bridge.
The last thing we need are golf carts in the mix-keep them where they belong please
Looks like this will be very nice! Quite a change for both areas.
I hope they can stop all the begging on the corner, not a good look for a new project , help the homeless, or they will , still be dying under the new bridge!
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TOO HELP?
Have you ever talked to the homeless? They are there for (9 times out of 10) 1 of 3 reasons: Choice, alcohol addiction, or drug addiction. I HAVE spoke to them (and I’ve had many hours volunteering). They either can’t stop drinking or drugs to qualify themselves to resources that are in place or they simply WANT to be live this way.
love it!! The lights on the island seem to be perfectly placed for entrance to hotels as well as Santa Rosa Blvd. (I DO hope there are TWO turning lanes though because it WILL be a very congested area).
Pretty and beautiful are not important, functional processes of moving 4 lanes to 3 and back to two is what is important
Also 5 years construction is awful no real planning
Too rapid reduction in traffic lanes is going to continue to cause problems. You will just have even more cars backed up on the bridge. Need 2 turn lanes onto double lanes for any relief.
Adding better turn lanes in town close to the bridge will help too.
Extend the E-W green light go- times.
Yesss I agree with the extending green light go times . Those lights are the problem
Unfortunately we will still deal with a backed Marler Bridge going into Destin
It’s gonna take another 8 years to get half way
This should be funny to watch,and a cluster when done if it ever gets done.remember folks,this a Okaloosa couny,the good Ole boy pocket filling ,hands outstreacehed,feet draging ,fake inspections county.
oh no, I am not seeing any parking added back for the NFB school. We are already experiencing difficulty since the parking lot has been torn up across the street and this is used for backflow for downtown businesses as well. The large grass lot under bridge is pretty but not functional for a very busy and compact downtown area. Please add school parking back.
I was surprised the city let the NFB school open without the school providing adequate parking in the first place. I’m sure if it was any other business they would of had to provide a certain amount of parking places
When will they expand the highway leading to the bridge to 6 lanes? Until that is accomplished, I don’t see much improvement in traffic flow.
Why is there a light going east bound before the Gulfarium light? It’s unnecessary and will back up traffic. Cars going Westbound on 98 should exit to the North to get to SRB. Cars entering from SRB going East should have a merge lane so no traffic light is needed.
Getting on and off the island will be as bad or worse.