Work resumes on Toms Bayou Bridge replacement project

VALPARAISO, Fla. — Crews are remobilizing on the Toms Bayou Bridge project on State Road 20 (John Sims Parkway) and have resumed bridge operations this week.

Travel lanes will be periodically restricted from three to two lanes, one in each direction, across the bridge between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily.

Operations have been delayed because the bridge contractor has been assisting with emergency repairs to the Pensacola Bay Bridge.

The Tom’s Bayou Bridge project was originally forecast to be completed last November. The completion date now is expected to be late summer.

The short-term closures are needed to deliver materials, set beams, pour concrete and pile driving for the new northbound structure and will continue intermittently through the summer.

John Sims Parkway over Toms Bayou is shifted to the southbound bridge and reduced to three travel lanes to allow crews to demolish and reconstruct the northbound structure.

The middle lane is a “reversible lane” providing maximum traffic capacity during peak travel times. Two southbound (Niceville to Eglin AFB) lanes will be in place in the morning and two northbound (Eglin AFB to Niceville) lanes in the afternoon.

The Toms Bayou Bridge project is an $8.5 million construction effort that is replacing the aging northbound bridge over Toms Bayou. The new structure will include two travel lanes, an eight-foot outside shoulder, and a five-foot sidewalk.

The southbound structure has been widened to accommodate an eight-foot outside shoulder and five-foot sidewalk.

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.

Learn more by visiting Facebook.com/MyTomsBayouBridge, or Instagram @MyTomsBayouBridge. You may also visit the Florida Department of Transportation District Three at www.nwflroads.com.