Pedestrian Tunnel Construction at East Scenic 30A & 98 Inlet Beach

FDOT :: US 98 @ CR 30A East Inlet Beach Ped Underpass, #443360-1 :: Florida Department of Transportation

My U.S. 98 Underpass at Inlet Beach

No doubt there will be men and equipment but will they have to close lanes or just tunnel from each side?

This project includes constructing an 8-feet tall, 12-feet wide, and 136-feet long underpass beneath U.S. 98 with safe-way lighting. Other improvements include:
• Installing lighted access points at the northeast and southeast corners of the U.S. 98/C.R. 30A intersections. Construction will include stairs and American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant ramps.
• Enhanced pedestrian crosswalks and sidewalks.
• Adding a new U.S. 98 eastbound right turn lane for access to C.R. 30A southbound.
• Drainage upgrades.
Lane Closure Restrictions:
Lane closures will be limited to nighttime hours, 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Traffic shifts will be utilized to maintain the same number of lanes on U.S. 98 and C.R. 30A throughout construction. Drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, property owners, and/or tenants may experience brief, intermittent access restrictions during the replacement of driveways adjacent to U.S. 98.
General Inquiries:
Email: info@myUS98underpass.com
Or You May Contact:
Brian Tew
FDOT Project Manager
Tele: (850) 767-4930
Email: Brian.Tew@dot.state.fl.us
Ian Satter
FDOT District Three Public Information Director
Tele: (888) 638-0250, ext. 1205 (toll free)
E-mail: Ian.Satter@dot.state.fl.us

Another big question here is what they intend to do with the tunnel when they widen 98. I'd love to see the plan for that.

Will they use removed sand for beach renovations

Will they use removed sand for beach renovations

It will be dirt not sand.

Walton County Commissioners are planning an official groundbreaking ceremony for the Inlet Beach Underpass March 26 at 3PM outside of Shades Restaurant (at the intersection of Scenic 30A and US Highway 98E).

The Scenic Walton organization worked tirelessly over the last several years to coordinate the effort to make this important safety improvement happen. Local restaurants Shades and The Donut Hole will provide refreshments. Members of the community are invited to attend.

Once the Inlet Beach underpass is complete, it will provide safe passage for pedestrians and cyclists underneath US Highway 98 through a lighted tunnel. FDOT will install landscaping in the area of the underpass. Scenic Walton is partnering with the Cultural Arts Association to create a public arts component so that the Inlet Beach Underpass is as unique and special as the National Scenic Byway it connects to.

Please join us on March 26th to celebrate this addition to Walton County.



About Scenic Walton Scenic Walton was formed in 2008 by a dedicated group of business owners and residents. Scenic Walton is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that works with the community and elected officials to preserve the natural beauty of Walton County, while also increasing pedestrian and cyclist safety. For more information, refer to www.scenicwalton.org.

Hopefully the new tunnel can handle rain.

Inlet Beach exploding.

Here's what it'll look like.

Update
My US 98 Underpass at Inlet Beach
Facebook page
8/18/2022

Here is a side-by-side look at the northern tunnel entrance of the U.S. 98 pedestrian underpass at Inlet Beach. Note the progress on these decorative retaining walls. Next, crews will construct stairs and paint the walls bright white, as shown in the bottom rendering.

Estimated for completion in early 2023, pedestrians and cyclists walking their bikes will be able to access this tunnel from the northeast corner of the U.S. 98/County Road 30A intersection. The tunnel is not intended for use by motorized vehicles, including golf carts.

This work is part of the $5.6 million effort to construct a lighted pedestrian underpass beneath U.S. 98, immediately east of County Road 30A in Inlet Beach.

REMINDER: U.S. 98 east and westbound travel lanes from just west of the County Road (C.R.) 30A intersection to Wall Street are currently shifted to the south, allowing crews to construct the north half of the new pedestrian underpass at Inlet Beach.

The orange longitudinal channeling devices (LCDs) pictured in this photo designate safe travel paths for pedestrians. Pedestrians are reminded to cross at the designated crosswalks located on the west side of U.S. 98/C.R. 30A and near Wall Street.

This fall, crews will shift traffic to the north side of U.S. 98 to begin construction on the southern portion of the tunnel. This work is part of the $5.6 million project to construct a pedestrian underpass to provide a safe crossing beneath U.S. 98, just east of C.R. 30A. Construction is estimated for completion in early 2023.

Anyone have an update about the tunnel? It seems to have stalled.

Anyone have an update about the tunnel? It seems to have stalled.

Rain tends to do that.

Supply chain issues also.

its hardly been raining. they just never seem to be there.

its hardly been raining. they just never seem to be there.

Just like the politicians in DC….

Just like the politicians in DC….

He is too busy staring at girls from his seaside house to go to DC and do something productive.

He is too busy staring at girls from his seaside house to go to DC and do something productive.

You mean Matt Gaetz? Yup, the local definition of do nothing politicians.

INLET BEACH: The U.S. 98 east and westbound travel lanes, from west of County Road 30A intersection to Wall Street, will be shifted to the north the week of Monday, November 7. The traffic shift will allow crews to construct the southern portion of the new pedestrian underpass. This work is part of the $5.6 million project that will provide a safe crossing beneath U.S. 98, immediately east of C.R. 30A. Construction is estimated for completion in mid-2023.

U.S. 98 PEDESTRIAN UNDERPASS CONSTRUCTION
WEEKLY ADVISORY

The U.S. 98 east and westbound travel lanes, from west of the County Road (C.R.) 30A intersection to Wall Street, will be shifted to the north the week of Monday, Nov. 7. The traffic shift will allow crews to construct the southern portion of the new pedestrian underpass.

All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.

I drove through the other day and the lanes are finally back to "normal" and looks like the underpass is close to completion. It's been a very long project with a lot of disruption. I hope it is worth it. Still seems like a favor to 30Avenue to attract Rosemary Beach and Inlet Beach tourist shoppers.

This is STILL not open yet. I feel like has been at least 3 years...? Anyone with intel on when it will be open? Rumor has it that the tunnel had some waterproofing issues (go figure) and that is the hold up. Just curious

This is STILL not open yet. I feel like has been at least 3 years...? Anyone with intel on when it will be open? Rumor has it that the tunnel had some waterproofing issues (go figure) and that is the hold up. Just curious

Could be something like that. Seems like it's been "complete" for a long time. Unused.

This is Sowal's version of The Big Dig in Boston. It seemingly is never gonna end. I've seen sand crabs dig bigger holes that that in a fraction of the time!