FDOT opens eastbound lane of realigned State 388 leading to NWF Beaches Airport

Nathan Cobb, The News Herald
·2 min read

PANAMA CITY − There now is a new route for motorists to take from State 79 to the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport.

The Florida Department of Transportation on Monday opened one eastbound lane of the realigned State 388, which leads to ECP and connects with the existing 388. The new stretch of road is located off State 79, about a mile north of the former State 388 intersection.

According to Ian Satter, FDOT spokesman, the new road is part of an approximately $51 million project to realign and widen State 388 from State 79 to ECP, as well as add a roundabout at the airport's entrance.

Realigned State 388 is located off State 79 across from the entrance to Latitude Margaritaville Watersound. The Florida Department of Transportation opened one of the road's eastbound lanes on Monday.
Realigned State 388 is located off State 79 across from the entrance to Latitude Margaritaville Watersound. The Florida Department of Transportation opened one of the road's eastbound lanes on Monday.

"It's a pretty substantial undertaking to do this project," Satter said. "At the end of the day, I think people are going to find that it's less congested, it's safer and (it's) going to help facilitate traffic through there much more safely, quickly and efficiently."

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He said the realigned State 388 consists of two westbound lanes, two eastbound lanes and a multi-use path on the south side of the road. The FDOT already has opened both westbound lanes and is still working to open the second eastbound lane and multi-use path.

"Part of (the multi-use path) is complete, and part of it is not," Satter said. "That's why heading eastbound, (drivers) will see there's still barrels and cones blocking off one of the (eastbound) lanes so (crews) can complete the construction of the multi-use path."

He expects for the path and second eastbound lane to open by summer. Once the entire project is complete, the former State 388 will become County 388 and remain open.

The realigned State 388, which spans almost four miles, is located off State 79 across from the entrance to Latitude Margaritaville Watersound, a Jimmy Buffett-themed community for residents at least 55 years old.

The FDOT plans to expand the eastern portion of State 388 from the airport to State 77, however, the department still is working to secure funding for the future project.

The airport recorded its second busiest year in 2022, servicing more than 1.52 million passengers. This is only about 77,700 less than 2021, its busiest year. Officials have said they expect for 2023 to experience slightly higher numbers than 2022.

"This is one of those projects that really is a benefit not only for Bay County, but for the region," Satter said. "We know that the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is a really important economic driver for the region. ... Having that additional space, having that additional corridor that goes east and westbound, will help facility traffic throughout Bay County."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: FDOT opens one eastbound lane of realigned State 388 leading to ECP