🚗 Okaloosa & Santa Rosa Counties team up to study a new east-west corridor
🏝️ $1 million grant to begin Santa Rosa Boulevard upgrades on Okaloosa Island
🚑 Three new ambulances approved under the county’s EMS budget
SHALIMAR — Seeking long-term relief for chronic congestion along U.S. Highway 98, the Okaloosa County Commission on Tuesday approved an agreement with Santa Rosa County to explore linking two proposed east-west corridors into a single route that could improve traffic flow between the counties.
Here is what you need to know from Tuesday’s meeting.
The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday approved an interlocal agreement with Santa Rosa County to study a potential connection between two planned east-west roadways aimed at easing traffic congestion along U.S. Highway 98.
The agreement allows Okaloosa County to use a $4 million state grant to examine whether the county’s proposed Highway 98 Parallel Collector Road could connect with Santa Rosa County’s planned Navarre Community Access Road.
The study will explore possible alignments between the two corridors and determine if a continuous route is feasible.
Deputy County Administrator for Development Services Jason Autey told commissioners the partnership is necessary because Okaloosa County will conduct portions of the study outside its jurisdiction. The work will involve coordination among Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties, the Florida Department of Transportation, Hurlburt Field and Eglin Air Force Base.
Commissioner Trey Goodwin, who represents District 4, moved to approve the agreement, calling it an essential step toward addressing long-standing traffic issues along the southern end of the county.
He also emphasized that the study would respect private property rights and would not involve any forced acquisitions.
“We’re moving to approve this as a coordination effort, but not as a government strong-arming,” Goodwin said. “This is a benefit to everyone, and we’re looking for the most effective path with the least impact.”
Autey noted that the county remains in the early stages of evaluating whether the corridor is even possible.
The motion passed unanimously.
The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday approved a $1 million state grant agreement to fund the first phase of improvements along Santa Rosa Boulevard on Okaloosa Island.
Public Works Director Scott Bitterman told commissioners the state appropriation will help construct the first segment of the project, running from the First Beach Park east to the Brooks Bridge project limits. The work includes reconstructing the roadway, building a multi-use path, and making stormwater enhancements aimed at reducing heavy rainfall flooding.
The project also seeks to improve pedestrian and roadway safety and enhance the corridor’s overall aesthetics.
To meet grant requirements, the county will provide a local match of $2,802,281 from infrastructure surtax funds, bringing the total construction cost for Phase 1 to $3,802,281. Bitterman noted that the costs for potential undergrounding of Florida Power & Light utilities are not included in the current estimate.
The county expects to receive a binding cost estimate from FPL before determining whether to proceed with that portion of the work.
Bitterman requested that the board authorize the county administrator to serve as the authorizing official for the term of the agreement and to sign future documents associated with the award. He also sought approval for a budget transfer from fiscal year 2026 surtax reserves to cover the local match.
The project’s grant award was presented to the Infrastructure Surtax Advisory Committee (ISAC) in August 2025, with an informational update planned for the committee’s November 12 meeting.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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