Search
Close this search box.

Okaloosa County approved for $7.9 Million in state funding, including Bridge-to-Bridge Multi-Use Path

Six legislative priorities, proposed by Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners, have gained support in the State budget.
$2 million for US 98 Bridge-to-Bridge Multi-Use Path from West Okaloosa Island to Destin (Okaloosa Public Information Office)

On Thursday, June 2, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the roughly $112 billion State Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget, confirming the funding for projects totaling nearly $8 Million to benefit Okaloosa County.

Approved projects include:

  • $750,000 for Overbrook Area Stormwater Improvements
  • $300,000 for Cinco Bayou Glenwood Park Water Quality Improvement
  • $2 million for US 98 Bridge-to-Bridge Multi-Use Path from West Okaloosa Island to Destin
  • $3 million for County Road 2 Road Safety and Upgrades to Big Horse Creek and Yellow River Bridges
  • $1.5 million for Niceville College Boulevard Multi-Use Pathway
  • $350,000 for the continued support of the Pretrial Mental Health Diversion Program.

“We are fortunate to have the support that our community has and continues to receive from the State of Florida,” said Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mel Ponder. “The County is thankful for the hard work and advocacy of our Legislative Delegates including Senators Doug Broxson and George Gainer and Representatives Patt Maney and Jayer Williamson.”

$3 million for County Road 2 Road Safety and Upgrades to Big Horse Creek and Yellow River Bridges (Okaloosa Public Information Office)

Two County projects were vetoed including $1.5 million for a Florosa Water Storage Tank and funding for US 90 at Jericho Road Improvements within the Shoal River Ranch Gigasite for $1 million.

  • An alternate funding source for the Florosa tank will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners in July, as part of the upcoming 5-year Capital Improvement Plan. 

Though the US 90 and Jericho Road Improvements were not approved as part of the State’s annual budget process, Governor DeSantis awarded $3.2 million to Okaloosa County through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to expand infrastructure, including roads, at the Shoal River Ranch Gigasite.

The Governor vetoed a record $3.1 billion out of the state budget, approved by the Legislature in March.

Join the conversation...

Continue reading 👇

Community Comments

“We are going to be out of town that weekend, wish we were going to be here to attend.”
Respond
“In June 1954, my family sailed on the SS United States from New York to LaHavre, France. In Sept, we returned from England to New York. It was a fantastic...”
Respond
“Does anyone know if another bar / restaurant is going in the space?”
Respond
“The SS United States is one of the last floating vintage ships. It holds the blue ribband still to this day. It’s got more power than any battleship. It is...”
Respond
“Leave that magnificent ship alone we need to try to save her and refurbish her into a floating museum”
Respond
“This was literally the only place affordable that I could stay and come visit. The island is ruined now.”
Respond
“Yeah these top name performers aren’t going to show up for less than top dollar when they are filling stadiums. Better keep it to the had beens to make it...”
Respond
“Lot of dumb responses on here. He is a medical doctor, licensed by the state medical board. Osteopathic physicians and allopathic physicians are essentially interchangeable, their residency training is exactly...”
Respond
“You won't get ANY help from the city !!!! Remember who NOT to vote for at re-election time !!!! I've been to the city many times and NEVER get any...”
Respond
“Are bridges closed in okaloosa”
Respond