Okaloosa County to join Santa Rosa in $4 million state-funded study of collector-road connections

Okaloosa County commissioners on Oct. 21 approved an interlocal agreement to coordinate with Santa Rosa County on a state grant of $4 million to study a potential collector-road connection between projects that run parallel to U.S. Highway 98.

Jason Autry, deputy county administrator for development services, told the board the work will examine whether gaps between Okaloosa County’s Highway 98 parallel collector and Santa Rosa County’s Navarre access roads can be linked. The study requires coordination with Santa Rosa County, Eglin Air Force Base (Hurlburt Field) and the Florida Department of Transportation, and some work will occur outside Okaloosa County’s jurisdiction.

Autry said the action will memorialize how Okaloosa County will participate in the study and secure the county’s ability to work in neighboring jurisdictions as part of the planning effort. The board approved the interlocal agreement unanimously.

“We are looking to see if that gap can't be covered between the two projects. This will take strong coordination between Okaloosa County, Santa Rosa County, and Eglin Air Force Base, and FDOT,” Autry said. “We are looking forward to see what we can accomplish.”

Commissioners noted the planning phase is an early step and emphasized respect for private-property rights and a preference for minimizing impacts to residents. The motion passed unanimously, and staff will proceed under the interlocal agreement to coordinate the study.