Fort Walton Beach Resolution — 2025-31 Supporting Alternative 1B over 1A for Around the Mound Project — reading text

RESOLUTION 2025- 31 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING ALTERNATIVE 1B OVER 1A FOR THE AROUND THE MOUND PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING CITY OFFICIALS TO USE ALL EFFORTS TO COMMUNICATE THIS PREFERENCE TO ALL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND AGENCIES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE WHEREAS, the City of Fort Walton Beach has adopted Alternative 1 B, attached hereto to this Resolution, as the preferred design of the Around the Mound project to reroute U. S. Highway 98 / State Road 30 around the Indian Temple Mound in downtown Fort Walton Beach, Florida; and WHEREAS, FDOT has recently indicated preference for Alternative 1A. WHEREAS, Alternatives 1A and 1B are projected to cost approximately the same amount after construction is completed; WHEREAS, Alternative 1B is superior to 1A because: 1. It will more effectively reroute traffic; 2. It will result in the closure of less local businesses due to eminent domain/ right of way acquisition; and 3. It will support the military mission of Hurlburt Air Force Base by ensuring the Highway 98 corridor traffic is able to freely flow to and from the base; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Fort Walton Beach, Florida wants all City officials to use all means necessary to communicate, to all government officials and agencies, the City' s preference for, and the superiority of Alternative 1B for the Around the Mound project. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH: Section 1. Alternative 1B for the Around the Mound Project Should be Adopted by FDOT as the officially adopted design going forward. The City Council of the City of Fort Walton Beach, Florida officially supports the adoption of the attached Alternative lB as the design for the Around the Mound project over Alternative 1A, because Alternative 1B: 1. It will more efficiently reroute traffic; 2. It will result in the closure of less local businesses due to a lower volume of eminent domain/right of way acquisitions; and  RESOLUTION 2025- 31 3. It will support the military mission of Hurlburt Air Force Base by ensuring the Highway 98 corridor traffic is able to freely flow to and from the base. Section 2. Transmittal of Resolution Upon City Council approval of this Resolution, the adopted Resolution will be forwarded to the FDOT, the Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization ( OWTPO), the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners, all municipalities within Okaloosa County, Hurlburt Air Force Base officials, the local state legislative delegation, and Congressman Jimmy Patronis. Section 3. Effective Date This Resolution shall become effective upon adoption by City Council and signature of the Mayor. Adopted: --"DpQemlaer ‘ t aoaS Nic Allegretto, May. Attest: Approved as to' g. term and sufficiency for the City s.' o alto i : each, only. r Ir} 7 a..w-- J Kim . Barnes, City Clerk Jeffrey L. B Pty Attorney 4 " A.(,—. Z.,\ ,, t, / S' , T, _ Vita s yam . FES s ALTERNATIVE 1B 6 3 12-foot - DOE im GRADE- Lanes Through Signalized Shared- Use Traffic( U. S. 98) Intersections Paths SEPARATED) Alternative 1B would realign U. S. 98 to be consistent with the Fort Walton Beach Master Plan and reconfigure the intersection of U. S. 98 and S. R. 85 to include two bridges. Legend Hollywood Boulevard o Signali Under Construction Sod c; 85I w Roadway o Bridge& Barrier Wall Third Street S. E. 145j Fort Walton Temple• w 44. Mound and Museum ro 1 1 1, KEY TERM: GRADE-SEPARATED" Grade- Separated means the a. a Q3 7/ S alternative includes bridges for two bridges some traffic movements. NiFirst Street S. E. 10 CV 11 Perry Avenue S. E. 11111. 11111 Miracle Strip Park : + Brooks Bridge 1111 connection Eastbound U. S. 98 Proceeding eastbound on U. S. 98 from S. R. 189( Beal Parkway), drivers would have the opportunity to follow the new U. S. 98 mainline Around the Mound to Brooks Bridge, or proceed northbound on S. R. 85 using a new signalized intersection. A portion of the eastbound U. S. 98 would be on an elevated two- lane bridge that merges with an elevated two- lane bridge from southbound S. R. 85. Westbound U. S. 98 Proceeding westbound from the end of Brooks Bridge, drivers would have the opportunity to follow the new U. S. 98 mainline Around the Mound, or proceed north on S. R. 85 as a free-flow movement( no signalized intersection), or follow S. R. 145 on a one-way northbound- only access to local streets. The existing signalized intersection of U. S. 98 and S. R. 145 at Brooks Street would be eliminated. New U. S. 98 would continue to the modified existing signalized intersection at S. R. 189 Beal Parkway). A transition area would continue on U. S. 98 west of S. R. 189( Beal Parkway) for approximately 1, 500 feet to transition from six lanes to the existing four lanes. Southbound S. R. 85 Proceeding southbound on S. R. 85 from Hollywood Boulevard, drivers would have the opportunity to access eastbound U. S. 98 to Brooks Bridge on an elevated two-lane bridge, or westbound U. S. 98 at a new signalized intersection. The elevated segment of southbound to eastbound S. R. 85 returns to grade before connecting with Brooks Bridge. This is a free-flow movement( no signalized intersections). Bicycles and Pedestrians Bicycles and pedestrians would be accommodated on 12-foot shared- use paths. 3 MI  Right-of-Way( Varies 134 feet to 156 feet) 22- foot . Median i S. R. 30( U. S. 98) ik \ Existing sed 4- Lane 6- Lane 11- foot lanes 12- foot_ 111- foot 11- foot U- foot I 11- foot 11- foot 11- foot 12- foot i I Two 12- foot shared- use paths Shared- Use Lane Lane Lane La Lane ie._- Lane Lane hared..__. Shared- Use one on each side) Path Path Alternative 1B( Grade- Separated): Typical Section 1B( U. S. 98) 40-foot, 8-inch( Out to Out) 40-foot, 8-inch( Out to Out) 6-foot 6-foot Traffic Shoulder Traffic Traffic Shoulder Traffic Railing Railing Railing Railing S. R. 30( U. S. 98) and S. R. 85 Bridges Existing Pro..' sed Not Present