Project Details

The intent of this study is to evaluate replacement alternatives for the existing Brooks Bridge. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the environmental, traffic, engineering, and social impacts for the replacement of Brooks Bridge. Various roadway improvements and alignment options will be considered focusing on the current bridge location. Improvements at the Perry Avenue/U.S. 98 and in the vicinity of Santa Rosa Boulevard/U.S. 98 intersections will also be considered. A construction start date has not been established and construction funding has not yet been identified in the FDOT Five-Year Work Program, or in the Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization Long-Range Transportation Plan Cost Feasible Plan. Replacement of Brooks Bridge is needed in order to solve the structural deficiencies of the existing bridge. Brooks Bridge was constructed in 1964 with an expected 50-year design life. The existing bridge does not meet current design standards, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, or navigational clearance requirements for this portion of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Previous studies have been undertaken, but none were prepared in accordance with the federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. This PD&E Study is required to fulfill the NEPA process. The new bridge will be higher than the current bridge in order to meet navigational clearance requirements on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The current bridge has a vertical height clearance of 50 feet and the new bridge will have a vertical height clearance of 65 feet. The existing bridge has two travel lanes in each direction. The proposed bridge will have three lanes in each direction, along with a shared use path for bicycles and pedestrians separated and protected from the vehicular travel lanes. The additional third lane in each direction is designed to help with turning movements on and off the bridge at the two intersections at the end of the bridge. Various options (known as the Typical Section) are being considered.