Heads Up: US 98 traffic disruptions this week across the Emerald Coast

US 98 weekly traffic advisory for the Emerald Coast: Bay County, Walton County, Okaloosa County, Santa Rosa County, and Escambia County, Florida. (FDOT/Niceville.com)

US HIGHWAY 98 — Motorists traveling on US 98 along the Emerald Coast may encounter traffic disruptions this week as crews perform construction and maintenance activities in Bay, Walton, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Escambia counties, according to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

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BAY COUNTY:

— US 98 Widening West of Tyndall Drive-Airey Avenue to East of Louisiana Avenue
US 98 drivers may encounter day and nighttime intermittent east or westbound lane closures between Tyndall Drive-Airey Avenue and Louisiana Avenue through Friday, March 29.

U.S. 98 east and westbound traffic, between Cambridge Boulevard and Gulf Boulevard, has been temporarily shifted to the recently completed adjacent travel lanes. The shift allows crews to continue widening U.S. 98 (also known as Panama City Beach Parkway or Back Beach Road) to six lanes from Richard Jackson Boulevard to Mandy Lane. The speed limit on this segment of U.S. 98 is now 40 mph. Provisions are in place to double speeding fines for citations written while workers are present. (Contributed)

WALTON COUNTY:

— US 98 Widening from Mack Bayou Road to County Road 30A
The week of Sunday, March 3, US 98 from Mack Bayou Road to Couty Road 30A will open to final configuration with six travel lanes (three east and three westbound). In this configuration, drivers will encounter a new traffic pattern at the US 98/Goldsby Road intersection.

— US 98/Goldsby Road intersection
This week, drivers will encounter a new configuration at the U.S. 98/Goldsby Road intersection in Santa Rosa Beach. The new configuration will temporarily close the US 98 median crossover with a directional barrier, thus removing the left-turn movement from Goldsby Road to US 98 (EB).

In this temporary configuration:

Southbound drivers on Goldsby Road will be limited to right-turn-only movements at the US 98 intersection
Drivers on Goldsby Road can access US 98 eastbound by turning right onto US 98 westbound, then making a U-tum at Mack Bayou Road

The temporary directional barrier will improve safety at this intersection as crews prepare to open US 98 to the final configuration with six travel lanes between Mack Bayou Road and County Road 30A. A traffic signal is planned for the US 98/Goldsby Road intersection during a subsequent construction project when the temporary directional barrier will be removed from the median

Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent, alternating lane closures, Sunday, March 3 through Thursday, March 7, from 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations and signalization work on US 98 east and westbound between Mack Bayou Road and County Road 30A

— US 98 Resurfacing from east of U.S. 331 to Peach Creek
Drivers may encounter nighttime intermittent US 98 east and westbound lane closures on Sunday, March 3, through Thursday, March 7, from 4 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations.

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OKALOOSA COUNTY:

— Brooks Bridge Replacement Project
Drivers may encounter US 98 east and westbound alternating and intermittent lane closures between Ferry Road and Pier Road from Sunday, March 3, through Thursday, March 7, between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for utility work and construction activities.

— US 98 Resurfacing in Mary Esther and Fort Walton Beach
Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 98 east and westbound lane closures between Josie Road in Mary Esther and Florida Place Southeast in Fort Walton Beach, Sunday, March 3 through Thursday, March 7, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for milling and paving operations.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

US 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive
Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:

Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive
Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, March 3, through Friday, March 8, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations
Beginning Sunday, March 3, motorists traveling eastbound will encounter a new traffic configuration from Green Briar Parkway to the end of the project as lanes will be shifted slightly north to allow for crews to perform construction activities on the south side of the eastbound lanes

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

— US 98 (Lillian Highway) Routine Maintenance at Nix Road
Motorists will encounter daytime lane closures Monday, March 4, through Friday, March 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for tree trimming operations.

— US 98 (Lillian Highway) Routine Maintenance at Cordova Road
Motorists will encounter daytime lane closures Monday, March 4, through Friday, March 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for tree trimming operations.

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 at www.nwflroads.com.

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