The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold a public hearing regarding the Brooks Bridge Replacement project Thursday, October 4, 2018, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. CDT at the Emerald Coast Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Parkway, S.E., Fort Walton Beach. The hearing will begin as an open house at 5:30 p.m., with a formal presentation at 6 p.m. followed by a public comment period. This hearing is being held to provide interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning proposed improvements. The project involves replacement of the John T. Brooks Bridge which carries State Road (S.R.) 30 (U.S. 98) over the Santa Rosa Sound and Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in Okaloosa County. To accommodate the bridge replacement, intersection improvements are necessary at S.R. 145 (Perry Avenue) on the west end of the bridge in the City of Fort Walton Beach, and in the vicinity of Santa Rosa Boulevard on Okaloosa Island. The project consists of changes to access management along S.R. 30 (U.S. 98) such as modifying, closing, and creating median openings and driveway connection access points. FDOT is seeking public comment to determine how the project will affect access to businesses and the potential economic impact of the project on the local business community. The project also includes evaluation of environmental impacts including an anticipated de minimis finding under Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act. In accordance with Executive Order 11990, the project would impact less than an acre of coastal dune wetlands and approximately 200 square feet of submerged aquatic vegetation. Draft study documents and other information depicting the proposed improvements will be available for public review during regular business hours from September 13 through October 15 at the City of Fort Walton Beach Library, 185 Miracle Strip Parkway S.E., Fort Walton Beach, FL (Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Persons wishing to submit written statements or other exhibits, in place of or in addition to oral statements, may do so by sending them to Eric Saggars, P.E., FDOT Project Manager, at 1074 Highway 90 East, Chipley, FL 32428 or via email at esaggars@hntb.com. All exhibits or statements postmarked on or before October 15, 2018, will become part of the record. For interested persons unable to attend the hearing, the online meeting will be available to review information by visiting www.brooksbridgereplacement.com. The online meeting can be accessed anywhere, anytime from October 4 through October 15, and will provide the same information as the in-person meeting. The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried-out by FDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. § 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 14, 2016, and executed by the Federal Highway Administration and FDOT.