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Okaloosa County enjoys the benefits of a sophisticated transportation network. The county's highway, rail, air, and water transportation systems provide a complete network of competitively-priced shipping options.

The ability to combine so many different methods of transportation provides Okaloosa's business community with cost-effective shipping alternatives as well as local, state, and national transportation needs.

Local authorities, to include Eglin AFB, are continuously observing transportation needs and requirements and evaluating possible infrastructure improvements and expansions.

Okaloosa County offers a public transportation service, OCT.  The OCT offers bus and trolley transportation services for Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, Okaloosa Island, and Destin/South Walton.  Military residents ride for free.

Okaloosa County and Eglin AFB are currently planning major infrastructure improvements across the county.  These improvements include a Mid-Bay Bridge expansion, a Highway 98 by-pass across three counties, and a new air traffic control tower in Destin.  These initiatives are a part of Eglin's Vision 2015 in response to the 2005 BRAC Commission realignments.

Air Service

Northwest Florida Regional Airport (VPS)
1701 State Road 85 N, Eglin AFB, FL 32542, 850-651-7160      Driving Directions
The Northwest Florida Regional Airport is centrally located in the heart of Okaloosa County providing commercial transportation for the Gulf Coast at the most reasonable cost available for most destinations.  Highway access to the terminal, parking and other facilities is provided by State Route 85, a north-south main thoroughfare.

Northwest Florida Regional Airport offers a terminal of more than 107,000 square feet.  The airport services over 520,000 passengers each year with direct service to Atlanta, Cincinnati, Charlotte, Dallas, Memphis, Orlando and Tampa.  The Airport is currently expanding its terminal to include a cargo facility and relocating its rental operation to better serve its customers.

Northwest Florida Regional Airport is an outstanding example of efficiency and joint use partnership with the United States Air Force resulting in lower operating costs.

The regional airport utilizes two Eglin AFB runways:

1. 10,000 feet long and 300 feet wide
2. 12,000 feel long and 300 feet wide

These runways are the only ones in Northwest Florida capable of non-stop international operations to Europe.  The access taxiway measures 1,600 feet long and 50 feet wide. 

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (DTS)
1001 Airport Road, Destin, FL 32541
The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is located in the City of Destin adjacent to the Destin Industrial Airpark with approximately 80 aircraft based on the field. The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is owned and operated by Okaloosa County and is a transient general aviation and local general aviation airport with a 5,000 foot runway.

Bob Sikes Airport (CEW)
5551 Givens Road, Crestview, FL 32539
The Bob Sikes Airport  located at the Okaloosa County Industrial Airpark is also owned and operated by Okaloosa County.  The Bob Sikes Airport offers a 8,000 foot runway with ILS.  It is primarily utilized for industrial application with general aviation facilities. A 64,000 square foot hanger is on location for aircraft modifications along with taxiways.  This airport is also located within an Enterprise Zone.

Highways & Rail Service

East-West Interstate 10 provides direct access to important regional and national markets intersecting major north-south interstates I-65, I-75 and I-95.  US 90 runs parallel to the CSX Rail Transportation System that connects users to all regions of the country.

Industrially-zoned land is available along I-10 and US 90 for commercial and industrial customers seeking strategic distribution locations.  Highway 98 is a main thoroughfare running along the coast from west Alabama connecting Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, Port St. Joe, Apalachicola and then north to Tallahassee.  Highway 20, parallel to I-10, also connects Tallahassee to central Okaloosa County.

SR85/123 Fly-Over Construction

The SR 85/123 interchange improvement project will widen SR 85 to six lanes between General Bond Boulevard and the Northwest Florida Regional Airport. In addition, a flyover ramp will be constructed on SR 85 northbound to allow traffic to connect seamlessly with SR 123. The new ramp will alleviate delays as northbound drivers attempt to turn left onto SR 123.

Access to the Northwest Florida Regional Airport will also be improved as part of this project. Two flyovers will be constructed on SR 85 to elevate traffic above the airport exit, and a new connector road will efficiently link the airport exit to SR 123. Work began in August 2009 and is scheduled for completion in late 2012.

The SR 85/123 construction initiative is being funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Economists estimate that approximately 1,300 jobs will be either created or sustained by the construction activities

Water Ports

Okaloosa County is centrally located between two deep water ports; the Port of Pensacola and the Port of Panama City. It is also a thoroughfare for the Intercostal waterway.

Port of Pensacola &
Foreign Trade Zone #249
The Port of Pensacola is 40 miles from the Okaloosa County, accessible via the Intracoastal Waterway and the Gulf of Mexico.  Its channel entrance is 500' wide and is dredged to a depth of 33 feet.  It is located at latitude 30 degrees, 24 minutes north', longitude 87 degrees, 13 minutes west (11 miles from sea buoy).  The port is comprised of 50 acres and offers an array of infrastructure and services for domestic and international markets.

Port of Panama City &
Foreign Trade Zone #65
The Port Panama City is 55 miles from Okaloosa County and is accessible via the Intracoastal Waterway and the Gulf of Mexico.   The channel offers a depth of 36 feet.  The port's main commodities are forestry, steel and copper products.   The Port offers six deepwater berths consisting of 3,240 linear feet, with 32 foot draft, 600 linear feet of barge facilities, and 470,000 square feet of warehousing space.  Other amenities include cargo handling areas, expanded warehouses, high mast lighting and a mobile harbor crane.

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