Panama City, Florida – The much anticipated switch to a temporary road along the new highway 98 flyover is now expected to happen in coming weeks, as the FDOT has released an update on the flyover construction project. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) announces traffic on U.S. 98 will begin to be diverted to temporary U.S. 98 east of the Hathaway Bridge to east of Brown Avenue beginning Friday evening, April 21, and continue through the weekend until the diversion is complete. This is a large milestone in the project which is expected to be completed by the spring of 2019. The Panama City, 23rd street flyover is expected to clear the morning and evening backups on 23rd and hwy 98 at Gulf Coast State College. Traffic coming from the Panama City Beach will no longer have to stop at a light until further down HWY 98 or 23rd Street.
Intermittent lane closures and traffic shifts will occur from the east end of the Hathaway Bridge to east of Brown Avenue on U.S. 98 and on 23rd Street just south of Collegiate Drive while workers connect temporary U.S. 98 to existing U.S. 98. Variable message boards and traffic control officers will be on site to alert motorists during the diversion. All planned construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Temporary U.S. 98 will remain in place for at least two years while the 23rd Street Flyover is constructed. The railroad crossing will be operational and traffic signals at Seaport Drive, Collegiate Drive, and 23rd Street will remain in effect. Construction work on existing U.S. 98 and 23rd Street will require periodic lane shifts. Traffic control devices will be in place to alert motorists during construction.
Images courtesy of Florida Department of Transportation
For up-to-date information, visit us on Facebook at My 23rd Street Flyover or follow us on Instagram @my23rdstreetflyover. You may also visit our FDOT webpage.
Should you have questions regarding the 23rd Street Flyover project, please contact Billy Robinson, FDOT Project Manager, at (850) 836-5713 or via email at billy.robinson@dot.state.fl.us. You may also contact Ian Satter, District Three Public Information Director, toll-free at (888) 638-0250, extension 1205 or via email at ian.satter@dot.state.fl.us.
