CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa County Public Works Director Jason Autrey believes that the first step in building a new pedestrian bridge on the Florida Trail has been taken.
On Tuesday, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a task order with Mott MacDonald to develop a $244,867.04 bridge design report for the Yellow River Pedestrian Bridge, which will help close a 5-mile gap along the Florida National Scenic Trail.
The planned bridge was first discussed at the end of a Nov. 7 board meeting, when Commissioner Nathan Boyles noted that during a recent hike along the trail he became aware of the gap between the trail’s western boundary near Yellow River Log Lake Road and continues at the eastern boundary along the Yellow River near Wilkinson Bluff.
To combat the gap, hikers must take a 20-mile detour that takes pedestrians along Highway 90 and State Road 85, increasing safety concerns for hikers and motorists alike.
According to Autrey, the new report will identify the specific location of the new bridge by using site conditions to determine what type of bridge will be built and how best to build it in a remote area.
According to county documents, once a notice to proceed is issued for the project, county staff expect to have the full report within five months. The entire project is funded through tourism development dollars.
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Okaloosa County plans pedestrian bridge to close Florida Trail gap
