Highway 98 public hearing coming

Cars turn onto Edgewood Drive in Holley by the Sea from Highway 98. [MICHAEL SNYDER/DAILY NEWS]

NAVARRE — The Florida Department of Transportation is holding a public hearing regarding the State Road (S.R.) 30 (U.S. 98) Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study from Portside Drive in Santa Rosa County to S.R. 393 (Mary Esther Boulevard) in Okaloosa County Tuesday, Jan. 15 at the Navarre Conference Center, 8700 Navarre Parkway. The hearing will begin as an open house at 5:30 p.m. with a formal presentation at 6:30 p.m., followed by a public comment period.

The hearing is being held to give interested persons an opportunity to review the results of the study and to provide input on proposed improvements and the recommended alternative.

The intent of this study is to widen 24.5 miles of U.S. 98, provide intersection improvements, safety and access management improvements, as well as add bicycle lanes and sidewalk. The access management changes along U.S. 98 include modifying, closing, and creating new median openings.

Maps, drawings, and other information will be on display. FDOT representatives will be available to discuss proposed improvements, answer questions, and receive comments. Environmental documents are available for review on the project website at nwflroads.com and during regular business hours through Friday, Jan. 25 at the following locations:

  • Mary Esther Public Library, 100 Hollywood Boulevard, Mary Esther
  • Navarre Public Library, 8484 James Harvell Road, Navarre

Persons wishing to submit written statements — in place of or in addition to oral statements — may do so at the hearing, by mail addressed to Sherry Alaghemand, P.E., FDOT Project Manager, 1074 Highway 90, Chipley, Florida 32428, or via e-mail to sherry.alaghemand@dot.state.fl.us. All information postmarked no later than Friday, Jan. 25 will become part of the public hearing record.

This hearing is being held without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or persons who require translation services, free of charge, should contact Sherry Alaghemand, toll-free at (888) 638-0250, extension 1510 or via email sherry.alaghemand@dot.state.fl.us at least seven days prior to the hearing.

For more information, follow the Florida Department of Transportation District Three on Twitter @myfdot_nwfl or visit www.facebook.com/MyFDOTNWFL.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Highway 98 public hearing coming