Bold Vision for Better Roads: Public Input Opens on Regional Transportation Blueprint Staff Reports January 17, 2026 11:02 am DeFuniak Springs, Okaloosa County, Travel, Walton County In Brief: Public comment is now open for the 2050 Okaloosa-Walton Long Range Transportation Plan. Residents can share priorities on roads, transit, and pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. A public open house will be held on February 19 in DeFuniak Springs. The Emerald Coast Regional Council has opened a public comment period for the Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization’s (TPO) 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan Goals and Objectives, giving residents an opportunity to help shape the future of regional transportation. The 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) will serve as the long-term blueprint guiding roadway improvements, transit investments, and bicycle and pedestrian projects across Okaloosa and Walton counties over the next 25 years. Officials are asking community members to weigh in on what transportation priorities matter most — including roadway expansions, public transit options, and infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. Feedback collected during this phase will help determine project evaluation criteria and future funding priorities. In addition to online feedback, residents can attend a public Open House on February 19, 2026, at the Chautauqua Building in DeFuniak Springs. The event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to approximately 1:00 p.m., following the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting. The Emerald Coast Regional Council, which staffs the Okaloosa-Walton TPO, emphasized the importance of public participation in shaping transportation policy that supports growth, safety, and quality of life throughout...
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