NICEVILLE — Mid-Bay Bridge Authority Executive Director Jim Vest took his time driving down the Mid-Bay Bridge Connector. Passengers in the caravan of about 100 cars had plenty of time to scout out the scenery.
“I want you all to look both ways on this drive,” the bridge authority's Chairman Gordon Fornell told them before the trip. “I’m just so darn proud.”
Saturday was full of celebration as the connector opened to the public. About 900 runners took part in the Connector Run; the red, white, and blue ribbon blocking the road was cut; and local officials took the inaugural trip along the bypass.
See more photos of the events. >>
Fornell also revealed that the Bridge Authority had asked the Florida Legislature to designate the connector the Walter Francis Spence Parkway, in honor of Walt Spence, a past Bridge Authority member and one of the founders of the Boggy Bayou.
The 11-mile connector completes a 16-mile limited access route from State Road 85 just north of Niceville, across the Mid-Bay Bridge to U.S. Highway 98 in Destin.
It will relieve congestion in the Twin Cities, give motorists a non-stop route to and from Destin and provide a hurricane evacuation route, Fornell said.
“The connector is a win-win,” he said.
A number of things had to align to build the $140 million road, especially because it’s being funded entirely by tolls, said Tommy Barfield, District 3 secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation.
For every $1 spent, there’s a return of about $5, Barfield said.
“If you do the math, almost three quarters of a billion dollars was invested into this community.”