DOT traffic advisory for Okaloosa and Walton counties

CHIPLEY, Fla. – Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Okaloosa and Walton counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.

Okaloosa County:

State Road (S.R.) 85 Traffic Signal Installation at the Auburn Road Intersection
Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. the week of Monday, Feb. 14 as crews perform work associated with the new traffic signal.

S.R. 85 Improvements from S.R. 123 to Hospital Drive
The week of Monday, Feb. 14 drivers will encounter the following intermittent lane closures between Shoal River Bridge and S.R. 123 as crews perform paving operations:

• S.R. 85 southbound lane closures will only occur between 11 a.m. and midnight.
• S.R. 85 northbound lane closures will only occur between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Walton County:

U.S. 90 Routine Maintenance from Malvin Street to Main Street
Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16 through Friday, Feb. 18 as crews perform tree trimming operations.

S.R. 20 Bridge Rehabilitation over Black Creek
Crews will begin construction on S.R. 20 over Black Creek the week of Monday, Feb. 18. Drivers may encounter periodic lane restrictions during daytime hours as crews make improvements. There will be no lane restrictions from Friday, March 11 until Sunday, March 27. Motorists are reminded to watch for construction equipment and workers entering and exiting the work zone. The project is estimated for completion in early spring 2022.

U.S. 331 Pavement Coring Operations in DeFuniak Springs
Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, and Tuesday, Feb. 15 as crews remove samples from the roadway for routine testing.

U.S. 98 Routine Underground Utility Maintenance Between Baytowne Lane and Sandestin Boulevard in Miramar Beach
Motorists can expect intermittent lane restrictions from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb 15, as crews lay underground fiber.

U.S. 98 Widening from Emerald Bay Drive to Tang-O-Mar Drive
Next week, drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic impacts:

• Daytime paving operations will take place in the median crossovers at intersections and side streets on U.S. 98, between Emerald Bay Drive and Tang-O-Mar Drive. Drivers may encounter temporary closures on inside travel lanes, inside turn lanes, and median crossovers. During the closures, drivers will be restricted to right turn only from side streets and driveways and may need to proceed to the next open intersection to make a U-turn. This work is expected to be complete by late February.

• Nighttime asphalt paving corrections will require intermittent, temporary lane closures on U.S. 98, between Emerald Bay Drive and Tang-O-Mar Drive, between 8:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. The closures are required for asphalt paving corrections.
• Additionally, motorists are reminded that U.S. 98 westbound lanes between Forest Shore Drive and Tang-O-Mar Drive were shifted to the new westbound outside lanes. The traffic shift allows crews to construct the new inside travel lanes, median, and turn lanes.

The following restrictions will be in place during this phase of work:

• Only right turns are allowed from side streets and driveways.
• Pedestrians routed to the newly constructed sidewalks located on the north and south side of the roadway between Emerald Bay Drive and Tang-O-Mar Drive.

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.