Okaloosa, Walton traffic advisory includes U.S. 98 lane closures

OKALOOSA COUNTY, 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 20 (John Sims Parkway) Resurfacing Project
Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts Sunday, Aug. 28 through Thursday, Sept. 1, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.:

• Intermittent inside east and westbound lane closures on S.R. 20, from Edge Avenue to west of the Rocky Bayou Bridge, to begin median widening construction activities.
• Intermittent outside westbound lane closures on S.R. 20, from Edge Avenue to west of the Rocky Bayou Bridge for sidewalk construction activities.

— Brooks Bridge Replacement Project
Drivers will experience the following traffic impacts Monday, Aug. 29 through Thursday, Sept. 1, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform geotechnical surveys and utility work:

• U.S. 98 east and westbound alternating and intermittent lane closures between Perry Avenue and Pier Road.
• Santa Rosa Boulevard east and westbound alternating lane closures from east of Amberjack Drive to Ross Marler Park.
• Intermittent shoulder closures on Brooks Street, between Perry Avenue and Florida Blanca Place, and on Business Access Road.

— State Road 85 Improvements from State Road 123 to Hospital Drive
This week, drivers will encounter the following intermittent, temporary southbound lane closures on S.R. 85, between S.R. 123 and Hospital Drive:

• S.R. 85 southbound lane closures, from S.R. 123 to the Shoal River Bridge, no closures are expected between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m. (peak travel times).
• S.R. 85 southbound lane closures, between the Shoal River Bridge and Hospital Drive, 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.

The closures are required for asphalt paving. One travel lane will remain open at all times, and access to private property and driveways will be maintained. Signage and traffic flaggers will be on-site to direct traffic through the work zone.

— State Road 85 Improvements from U.S. 90 to Commerce Drive
Crews will be constructing Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramps at various locations. This work will require intermittent, temporary lane closures of the S.R. 85 outside turn lanes. During the closures, drivers will be able to access the side streets from the outside travel lane.

State Road 85 (Government Avenue) Routine Utility Maintenance Between Wolverine Avenue and Edge Avenue in Niceville
Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday. Aug. 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for utility maintenance.

Walton County:

— U.S. 98 Widening from Emerald Bay Drive to Tang-O-Mar Drive
This week, drivers will encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures on U.S. 98 east and westbound between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. These closures are required for asphalt paving, cutting traffic signal detection loops, and additional work list items. One travel lane in each direction will remain open at all times. Additional paving work on County Road 2378 (Scenic Gulf Drive) at U.S. 98 will require flagmen to direct drivers through the work zone.

— U.S. 98 Resurfacing Project from Village Road to east of U.S. 331
Drivers may encounter the following closures:

• Intermittent closure of the U.S. 98 westbound outside shoulder and a speed limit reduction to 35 mph for the construction of a new U.S. 98 westbound turn lane at Don Bishop Road. The turn lane construction is expected to continue through September 2022.
• Intermittent U.S. 98 westbound outside lane closures between the Publix Supermarket at South Walton and Veterans Road between 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. to allow crews to construct a new sidewalk on the north side of the roadway.

— U.S. 331 Routine Utility Maintenance from North of Aero Drive to Oakwood Lakes Boulevard
Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Aug. 29 through Wednesday, Aug. 31, 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.