FORT WALTON BEACH — While construction on U.S. Highway 98 at Cody Avenue has generated much publicity, another project nearby also is making headway.
The Florida Department of Transportation began work at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Freedom Way in July. It is expected to last until sometime in the fall.
The $1 million-plus project is funded with Highway Safety Grant dollars.
Keith Cutshaw, chief of engineering for Hurlburt Field’s 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron, said the improvements will improve access for commercial vehicles and at the new Family Camp on Martin Luther King.
Crews are adding a turn lane and an acceleration lane, putting in curbs and gutters, improving drainage, reconstructing the curve outside Hurlburt Field’s east gate and adding new signage.
“We are putting an emphasis on correcting areas like this because of the amount of crashes at the intersection,” DOT district spokeswoman Tanya Branton said. “The project is in correlation with the work that is being done on Cody Avenue and U.S. Highway 98.”
Crews are at the site from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
“Right now, we have had no major issues with the road work and the project manager says they are on time,” Branton said.
The U.S. 98 job includes building two two-lane bridges at the main entrance to Hurlburt to help relieve congestion. The $13.9 million project began in July and is expected to be complete at the end of 2014.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Angel McCurdy at 850-315-4432 or amccurdy@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AngelMnwfdn.