Okaloosa and Walton traffic advisory includes SR 85, Hwy 98 lane closures

NORTHWEST FLORIDA – Motorists will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Okaloosa and Walton counties this week as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

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. 21 as crews perform work associated with the new traffic signal.

S.R. 85 Improvements from S.R. 123 to Hospital Drive
Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures, from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Feb. 20 as crews perform paving operations.

U.S. 98 Routine Utility Maintenance Between Mary Esther Cutoff (S.R. 393) and Doolittle Boulevard in Mary Esther
Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Friday, Feb. 25 as utility crews continue maintenance operations.

Racetrack Road (S.R. 188) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance from Don Drive to Beach Drive
Motorists can expect lane closures Monday, Feb. 21 through Friday, Feb. 25 as crews perform sewer line rehabilitation operations.

S.R. 85 Routine Utility Maintenance at Alpin Road
The northbound outside lane will be closed between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22 through Thursday, March 3 as utility crews perform operations on power lines and poles.

Walton County:

S.R. 20 Bridge Rehabilitation over Black Creek
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. 98 Widening from Emerald Bay Drive to Tang-O-Mar Drive
This week, drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic impacts:

1. 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.
2. Nighttime asphalt paving work 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
3. 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 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.

For more information visit the Florida Department of Transportation District Three on the web at www.nwflroads.com.