Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners is proud to announce that nearly all of the Okaloosa County-maintained dirt roads, almost 200 miles, are now paved due to the voter-approved infrastructure surtax.
The road improvements will provide a safer and smoother experience for drivers in north Okaloosa County where the roads are located. Most importantly, a stabilized road allows hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to be saved in maintenance and fuel costs that used to be spent on repairing washed-out roads following rain events.
“These are the types of projects that the residents expect from their government,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Trey Goodwin. “While this success benefits motorists in north Okaloosa County, we are committed to enhancing road, stormwater and public safety infrastructure throughout the entire County because that is what the public demanded in 2018 and we are resolute in this effort.”
What started out as a “50 in 5” project by Commissioner Nathan Boyles in 2020 to stabilize 50 miles of dirt roads in 5 years surpassed all expectations by ultimately stabilizing all publicly maintained dirt roads with a limerock base and capping with either a chip-seal or hot-mix application to provide a smoother, safer route for Okaloosa motorists.
Instead of 50 miles in 5 years, the County stabilized 180 miles in four years, leaving only a handful of roadways to be paved.
“I’m thrilled that the County has continued this important effort for the residents of Okaloosa County,” said State Representative Nathan Boyles. “As a resident of Okaloosa County, I enjoy traveling on these improved roadways regularly and as a taxpayer, I am proud that our County continues to wisely invest taxpayer money in infrastructure that makes our lives better and lowers long-term maintenance costs.
• A comprehensive dashboard to view current and completed infrastructure projects throughout the County can be found at myokaloosa.com/bcc/infrastructureprojects
• View a video of a road infrastructure project on Buck Tyner Road: https://youtu.be/W8fHz_zz5-s
