Preliminary construction activities began this month to allow for the construction of the new Brooks Bridge in Okaloosa County scheduled to begin this spring.
This work includes relocating utilities on and around Brooks Street, U.S. 98, and the south side of Publix at the Shoppes at Paradise Point shopping center. In the coming weeks, crews plan to realign Brooks Street, from Perry Avenue to the Brooks Bridge, to provide space to construct the new westbound structure.
Other activities include drainage improvements, relocating above and underground utilities, installing erosion control devices, lane shifts, and finalizing needed permits. The early activities will begin beneath the west side of the current bridge in Fort Walton Beach before advancing to the east end of the structure.
The $171 million Brooks Bridge replacement project on U.S. 98 will replace the four-lane bridge that opened in 1966 with a new six-lane structure across Santa Rosa Sound with completion of the project, currently estimated for mid-2027.
Drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and nearby properties may be affected by the early construction efforts and the associated traffic shifts. All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
For more information visit the Florida Department of Transportation District Three on the web at www.nwflroads.com, follow FDOT on Twitter @myfdot_nwfl and Instagram @myfdot_nwfl, or on Facebook at MyFDOTNWFL.
