Residents and advocates press delegation to withhold state funds for Santa Rosa Boulevard 'road diet'
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Summary
Several residents told the delegation they oppose Okaloosa County's Santa Rosa Boulevard lane reductions and urged legislators to rescind recent state funding tied to the project, citing emergency response delays, past local votes opposing the plan and a claim the county stopped publishing cost estimates near $30 million.
Residents and civic advocates told the Okaloosa County legislative delegation they oppose state funding and county plans that would reduce driving lanes on Santa Rosa Boulevard on Okaloosa Island.
An audience member said the project eliminates travel lanes and could slow emergency response. "Eliminating driving lanes slows emergency response," the speaker said, arguing minutes lost "will cost someone their life." The speaker also asserted the county stopped publishing the project's cost when it reached about $30 million and urged the delegation to withhold state funds.
David Sherry and others noted the delegation previously backed measures opposing unvetted local road‑diet projects, citing House Bill 1301, and asked why the county had received $1,000,000 and $2,000,000 in recent years toward the Santa Rosa Boulevard project despite statutory steps required before lane reductions. "So I need to ask... why did you give $1,000,000 to Okaloosa County?" a speaker asked.
Speakers referenced multiple local surveys and leaseholder votes that they said showed overwhelming opposition to lane reductions. Delegation members did not take a formal action on the project at the meeting; speakers left materials and public comments for the delegation to review.
The meeting record includes references to House Bill 1301 and to recent state appropriations; any formal review or withdrawal of state funding would require further action by the delegation and state budget committees.
