Okaloosa County BOCC — July 19, 2016 — Visitor - Presentation from FDOT for Brooks Bridge Replacement — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: July 19, 2016 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Jason Autrey SUBJECT: Visitor - Presentation from FDOT for Brooks Bridge Replacement DEPARTMENT: Public Works BCC DISTRICT: 2 STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Staff from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) along with their project consultant, HDR, Inc., has requested the opportunity to present information regarding the Brooks Bridge Replacement Project. FDOT is also seeking approval of a resolution in support of the project, specifically selected alternatives and alignments. BACKGROUND: FDOT is currently conducting two studies in the area of Okaloosa Island and downtown Fort Walton Beach; 1) Brooks Bridge Replacement Study and 2) Santa Rosa Sound Alternative Crossing Study. Stakeholder advisory groups, comprised of affected citizens and business owners, have been formed for each study to allow for input. In addition, public workshops have been held to allow for general public input. FDOT would like to present to the Board of County Commissioners an overview of the analysis performed as it relates to the Brooks Bridge Replacement Study and requests approval of the attached Resolution in support of the project. Specifically the Resolution supports: Bridge Alignment: Left Alternative - this replacement bridge alignment has the least amount of impact to businesses in the downtown Fort Walton Beach area. Typical Bridge Section: Alternative A - this section offers an overall wider bridge configuration and includes a shared use path to accommodate pedestrian and bicycle traffic across the bridge. The wider section will also accommodate traffic better during construction. Santa Rosa Boulevard Intersection: Option C or D - either option proposes to eliminate the existing signal at US 98 and Santa Rosa Boulevard. Traffic from Santa Rosa Boulevard would have access to US 98 via continuous flow lanes, yet grade separation will isolate the two heavy traffic patterns from these roadways. Removal of the signal at this heavily traveled intersection should improve overall traffic flow in the immediate area. OPTIONS: Consider the information presented by FDOT and either do or do not approve the proposed Resolution. RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends approval of the Resolution in support of FDOT’s Brooks Bridge Replacement PD&E Study; specifically with the Left Alternative Bridge Alignment, Typical Section Alternative A, and elimination of the signal at Santa Rosa Boulevard as depicted in Options C or D. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator