Okaloosa County to host public meeting on West 98 Collector Road project

In Brief:

🛣️ Proposed 3.25-mile collector road aims to ease congestion along U.S. Highway 98 and improve access near Hurlburt Field.
🗣️ Public information meeting on July 31 will give residents a chance to speak directly with planners and provide feedback.
🌧️ Environmental review underway to assess flooding risks and minimize impact on surrounding land and water systems.

SHALIMAR — Okaloosa County officials will host a public information meeting later this month to discuss the West 98 Collector Road Project, a proposed infrastructure effort aimed at easing congestion along U.S. Highway 98 near Hurlburt Field.

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 31 at 5:30 p.m. in the Okaloosa County Administration Building Board Chambers, located at 1250 N. Eglin Parkway in Shalimar. County staff will present details on the proposed road project and provide residents with an opportunity to ask questions and submit feedback.

The West 98 Collector Road would span approximately 3.25 miles, running parallel to State Road 30 (U.S. 98) from just east of Solar Street to Green Drive. It is designed to support the Hurlburt Field West Gate Project and includes a planned two-mile utility corridor extending from Green Drive to the Santa Rosa County Line.

The project is currently in the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study phase. According to the county, the study will assess potential road alignments and evaluate impacts to the surrounding environment, as well as stormwater needs to reduce the risk of flooding in the area between the proposed road and the existing U.S. 98.

Commissioner Trey Goodwin, who represents District 4, is expected to attend the meeting and speak with residents about the benefits of the project.

The meeting will be conducted in an open-house format with no formal presentation or public speaking forum. Attendees will be able to view project displays, speak directly with members of the project team, and leave written comments in a comment box.

All materials from the meeting will also be available on the county’s website at www.myokaloosa.com/west98collectorroad.

The county will mail notices to nearby residents, businesses, and organizations to encourage participation and gather community input.

For those requiring accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or needing translation services, the county requests that individuals contact Public Works Director Scott Bitterman at (850) 689-5772 at least one week before the meeting.

Hearing- and speech-impaired individuals can use the Florida Relay Service by dialing 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice).

Questions or comments about the project can be directed to Project Manager Scott Bitterman by phone at the number above or by mail at 1759 South Ferdon Boulevard, Crestview, FL 33536.