The speedway to the east, from the north part of Okaloosa County (Crestview) to the south part (Destin), is starting to take shape. See the illustration of the By-Pass below. As this Mid-Bay Bridge Connector is completed, you will see how easy it will be to commute from the North to the South of Okaloosa County with both Niceville and Crestview being a major benefactor.
Bridge connector to open
1st section of Mid-Bay Bridge Connector to see traffic Thursday
By KARI C. BARLOW
Northwest Florida Daily News 315-4438 kbarlow@nwfdailynews.com
NICEVILLE — Motorists who travel the Mid-Bay Bridge are in for major changes this week. A section of the first phase of the Mid-Bay Bridge Connector will open to traffic at 9 p.m. Thursday. The Mid-Bay Bridge Authority will mark its completion in a ribbon-cutting ceremony that morning. “We’re really excited about it,” said Bridge Authority board member Jimmy Nielson. “Phase one has gone exceptionally well.” The 1.5-mile stretch of road, which cost $24 million to build, will connect the north end of the bridge to State Road 20. “People will be able to go from point A, the toll booth, to (State Road) 20 direct,” Nielson said. The initial portion of the connector will allow motorists to bypass White Point Road. “White Point Road will revert back to a residential county road,” said Jim Vest, the Bridge Authority’s executive director. “It’s going to relieve all that congestion.” Bridge Authority members say the new configuration also will provide a better evacuation route in case of a hurricane. “What it’s going to do is make a good, even flow of traffic,” Nielson said. The entire first phase, which ultimately will connect to Range Road, is scheduled to be completed in early July, Vest said. The second phase of the project will stretch about 5.6 miles from Range Road to State Road 285. The third and final phase will run about 2.5 miles from SR 285 to State Road 85 north of College Boulevard. It should be completed by 2014.
The entire project is expected to cost about $174 million. Vest said the Bridge Authority wanted to open the first section of the connector well before the end of May to get locals accustomed to the new route before tourism increases. “We always get a big influx on Memorial Day weekend,” he said. “It’s going to be a different traffic pattern, that’s for sure.” On Friday, toll booth operators began passing out leaflets on the changes to drivers in the cash lanes, Vest said.
At 9 p.m. Thursday, access to the Mid-Bay Bridge from White Point Road will be closed. Residents along White Point will be able to access the connector at the North Lakeshore Drive interchange.
Bridge connector to open
1st section of Mid-Bay Bridge Connector to see traffic Thursday
By KARI C. BARLOW
Northwest Florida Daily News 315-4438 kbarlow@nwfdailynews.com
NICEVILLE — Motorists who travel the Mid-Bay Bridge are in for major changes this week. A section of the first phase of the Mid-Bay Bridge Connector will open to traffic at 9 p.m. Thursday. The Mid-Bay Bridge Authority will mark its completion in a ribbon-cutting ceremony that morning. “We’re really excited about it,” said Bridge Authority board member Jimmy Nielson. “Phase one has gone exceptionally well.” The 1.5-mile stretch of road, which cost $24 million to build, will connect the north end of the bridge to State Road 20. “People will be able to go from point A, the toll booth, to (State Road) 20 direct,” Nielson said. The initial portion of the connector will allow motorists to bypass White Point Road. “White Point Road will revert back to a residential county road,” said Jim Vest, the Bridge Authority’s executive director. “It’s going to relieve all that congestion.” Bridge Authority members say the new configuration also will provide a better evacuation route in case of a hurricane. “What it’s going to do is make a good, even flow of traffic,” Nielson said. The entire first phase, which ultimately will connect to Range Road, is scheduled to be completed in early July, Vest said. The second phase of the project will stretch about 5.6 miles from Range Road to State Road 285. The third and final phase will run about 2.5 miles from SR 285 to State Road 85 north of College Boulevard. It should be completed by 2014.
The entire project is expected to cost about $174 million. Vest said the Bridge Authority wanted to open the first section of the connector well before the end of May to get locals accustomed to the new route before tourism increases. “We always get a big influx on Memorial Day weekend,” he said. “It’s going to be a different traffic pattern, that’s for sure.” On Friday, toll booth operators began passing out leaflets on the changes to drivers in the cash lanes, Vest said.
At 9 p.m. Thursday, access to the Mid-Bay Bridge from White Point Road will be closed. Residents along White Point will be able to access the connector at the North Lakeshore Drive interchange.
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