Bear Creek Bridge reopens in Freeport

FREEPORT, Fla. ( WMBB ) — A bridge in Walton County is back open after a 12-month repair job.

County commissioners hosted a ribbon cutting for the Bear Creek Bridge on Bay Loop (83A) in Freeport.

The county public works department replaced the bridge, the pedestrian pathway, and the box culverts.

The bridge on the edge of Choctawhacthee Bay is prone to storm surge leading to the request to replace the structure.

County staff said they made the bridge more weather-resistant by repairing it.

“It’s going to be a major improvement. If you look at the road you’ll see a level to it which should alleviate the problem with the flooding. Most of the storms we get come in here water comes up over the road. we have citizens here that have to drive all the way around.”

The Florida Department of Transportation, the City of Freeport, and Walton County split the more than $1 million bill.

The project was slated to be done in April but was delayed three months.

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