New sidewalk to close walking gap on Valparaiso Boulevard

NICEVILLE, Fla. — Okaloosa County will begin construction on March 1 on a new sidewalk along Valparaiso Boulevard in Niceville that will connect existing sidewalks between Nutmeg Avenue and Redwood Avenue, the City of Niceville has announced.

The project will add a sidewalk on the south side of Valparaiso Boulevard, creating a continuous walking route that links sidewalks already in place along Redwood Avenue and other sections of Valparaiso Boulevard. The link is slightly more than one-third of a mile.

The sidewalk along Redwood Ave. (which becomes Bayshore Drive south of Valparaiso Blvd.) was completed in February, 2022.

View of Valparaiso Boulevard showing the narrow shoulder where a new sidewalk is planned in Niceville. — A narrow shoulder along Valparaiso Boulevard highlights the need for a new sidewalk between Nutmeg Avenue and Redwood Avenue in Niceville. (Niceville.com/Dennis Gilson)

End of the existing sidewalk along Valparaiso Boulevard near Nutmeg Avenue in Niceville. — The existing sidewalk along Valparaiso Boulevard ends near Nutmeg Avenue, where a new sidewalk segment is planned to extend east toward Redwood Avenue. (Niceville.com/Dennis Gilson)

Map showing planned sidewalk construction along Valparaiso Boulevard between Nutmeg Avenue and Redwood Avenue in Niceville. — This map shows the planned sidewalk project along Valparaiso Boulevard between Nutmeg Avenue and Redwood Avenue, a stretch of about 0.35 miles. (Contributed)

For pedestrians and neighborhood walkers, the project closes one of the remaining gaps in the area’s sidewalk network and improves safer access along the corridor.

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Construction is scheduled to continue through August 23, 2026.

Questions about the project may be directed to Bruce Morrison of Barge Design Solutions at 850-419-0280 or bruce.morrison@bargedesign.com.