State Road 123 Construction Update

Milestones Reached on State Road 123 Projects

The northern segment of State Road (S.R.)123 opens to traffic . Work began on the 2.9 mile portion of the S.R.123 widening project from north of Turkey Creek to State Road (S.R.) 85N in August 2014 and was accepted by the department Aug. 26, 2016. Improvements included widening the roadway to four, 12-foot travel lanes with 8-foot shoulders, and a 64-foot grassed median. A new flyover was constructed to help alleviate traffic congestion at the intersection of S.R. 123 and S.R. 85N. Also part of the project was lighting, drainage improvements and placement of new signs and pavement markings.

The construction teams of Segment 2 and 3 are working on the construction of bridges over Toms Creek, Unnamed Tributary, and Turkey Creek. The crews have taken the steps required to have the cease and desist order removed. Currently, crews are back to work and focusing on roadway widening efforts from S.R. 85 near the Northwest Florida Regional Airport to S.R. 85 north of Niceville.

UPDATE: Turkey Creek to S.R. 85 N.

(Segment 4)

Now that construction of Segment 4 is complete, traffic flows smoothly over and under the new flyover bridge. Just think: No more red light wait time at the intersection of S.R. 85N and S.R. 123. The massive structure encompasses a lot of steel and concrete. Approximately 857 cubic yards of concrete were placed for the footings, columns, caps, and bridge deck.

It was a careful fitting of puzzle pieces as the construction team joined five sets of three structural steel girders together to span the 384 feet across the north and southbound lanes of S.R. 85.
Each splice (connection) required 256 bolts-144 bolts for the vertical splice plates and 56 bolts each for the upper and lower splice plates.

Over 110 new lights now illuminate the intersection of S.R. 123 and S.R. 85N. This will increase visibility for drivers and improve safety along the roadway.

As part of the drainage improvements the construction team placed three new stormwater retention ponds and installed 5,378 linear feet (just over one mile) of pipe.

More than 400,000 cubic yards of soil were relocated to other areas of the project. For example, the contractor used some of the soil excavated from the ponds to build up the embankments for the flyover bridge.

UPDATE: Toms Creek to Turkey Creek

(Segment 2)

Construction of a new S.R.123 northbound bridge over the unnamed tributary that is located immediately south of Turkey Creek continues. This structure will be a mirror of the new southbound bridge that is currently carrying all traffic.

Crews have removed a significant amount of the soil over the existing box culvert and completed pile driving operations, which included driving 26 pre-stressed concrete piles for the new span. Construction of the new pile caps, which will tie each bent of piles to act as a single unit, is set to begin soon. These pile bents will support three spans, each consisting of five precast beams for a total of 15 beams. Once the deck is completed, the existing box culvert will be removed and the unnamed stream restored to its original alignment. The stream restoration will increase habitat for the Okaloosa Darter, which is only found within the limits of the Eglin Air Force Base reservation.

Crews have also returned to work on the approaches to the new southbound Turkey Creek bridge. Once the embankment has been placed, crews will complete the subgrade, base and roadway and place traffic onto the structure soon. The work on this segment of S.R. 123 is schedule for completion in early 2017.

Crews drive piles for the new bridge across the unnamed tributary.

UPDATE: S.R. 85 to Toms Creek

(Segment 3)

The construction team worked closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stabilize construction areas and protect the adjacent waterways from the effects of stormwater run-off. On May 25, 2016 crews returned to work and since then have completed the placement of the embankment to raise the elevation of the new northbound roadway to match the southbound side. The roadway was raised to change the vertical curve and increase the sight distance as required by FDOT's new design criteria. This change improves safety by increasing the distance drivers can see ahead of the vehicles.

Now that the embankment is compete, crews will complete the excavation of the stormwater ponds, grading of the median, shoulders, stabilized subgrade, base and placement of asphalt on the new roadway. All work on this segment of the project is slated for completion late 2016.

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Stacey Wallace

Segments 2 and 3

Project Public Information Coordinator

Tele: (850) 228-2667

Email: Info@StateRoad123.com

Kathi Fuller

Segment 4

Project Public Information Coordinator

Tele: (850) 696-1304

Email: Info@StateRoad123.com

Ian Satter

FDOT District Three Public Information Director

Tele: (850) 330-1205

E-mail: Ian.Satter@dot.state.fl.us