for immediate release
October 14, 2004

N E W S   R E L E A S E

To maximize traffic flow, the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office is manually directing traffic at the merge points on US Highway 98 during peak afternoon traffic hours. Deputies are stationed at both the east and west ends of the construction zone on Okaloosa Island for approximately three hours, beginning at 4:30 each afternoon.

During those peak hours, motorists approaching the two-lane portion of the highway should not change lanes, and should not merge until directed to do so by the Deputy. The plan will work best if both lanes are fully utilized all the way to the merge point.

The Deputy stationed at that location will manually alternate traffic flow between the two lanes. Motorists waiting in backed-up traffic will not gain an advantage by changing lanes at any time prior to the merge point.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office plans to continue staffing the eastbound and westbound merge points on Highway 98 until post-hurricane repairs have been completed and all four lanes have been re-opened between Fort Walton Beach and Destin.

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for more information contact Sgt. Rick Hord, Public Information Officer

(850) 651-7420

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