OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — More than 180 miles of county-maintained dirt roads have been stabilized and paved in Okaloosa County since an ambitious road improvement effort began in 2020, leaving only a handful of publicly maintained dirt roads awaiting improvements.
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According to Okaloosa County, the work was funded through the voter-approved infrastructure surtax and primarily involved roads in north Okaloosa County.
The county said it identified nearly 200 miles of dirt roads for improvement. Crews stabilized the roads with a limerock base and capped them with either chip-seal or hot-mix.
County officials said the improvements provide smoother, safer roads while reducing the recurring costs of maintaining dirt roads, particularly after heavy rainfall washes out or damages road surfaces.
“These are the types of projects that the residents expect from their government,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Trey Goodwin.
“While this success benefits motorists in north Okaloosa County, we are committed to enhancing road, stormwater and public safety infrastructure throughout the entire County because that is what the public demanded in 2018 and we are resolute in this effort.”
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The effort grew from the “50 in 5” initiative launched by then-County Commissioner Nathan Boyles in 2020. The original goal was to stabilize 50 miles of dirt roads over five years.
Instead, the county said it stabilized 180 miles in four years, substantially exceeding the original goal and leaving only a handful of county-maintained dirt roads to be paved.
Boyles, now a state representative, said he was pleased the county continued the effort.
“I’m thrilled that the County has continued this important effort for the residents of Okaloosa County,” said Mr Boyles.
“As a resident of Okaloosa County, I enjoy traveling on these improved roadways regularly and as a taxpayer, I am proud that our County continues to wisely invest taxpayer money in infrastructure that makes our lives better and lowers long-term maintenance costs.”
Okaloosa County maintains an online infrastructure dashboard where residents can view current and completed infrastructure projects throughout the county.
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