Walton County officials lobby for funds to widen U.S. 331

DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — Walton County commissioners hope their constant reminders of the need to widen U.S. Highway 331 will lead to more funding.

County commissioners Sara Comander and Scott Brannon made their case to federal transportation officials in Washington, D.C., last week while attending the National Association of Counties Conference.

“We always want to keep 331 on people’s minds,” said Ken Little, the county’s citizen services director. “We’ve been working to get it four-laned since the 1960s. A lot of progress is being made. We just need to keep it on the front burner.”

Commissioners spoke with Stephanie Kopelousos, the former secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation, about the importance of widening the highway and the need for another bridge over Choctawhatchee Bay to handle normal traffic and improve hurricane evacuation.

“Having the benefit of former Secretary Kopelousos’ insight and knowledge of our road issues as she works with Congressman (John) Mica on the federal Transportation Authorization Bill should put Walton County in a good position,” Comander said.

Mica, who represents Florida’s seventh congressional district, chairs the House’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Little said Walton County’s relatively small population is connected to the funding issue.

“Our population is much smaller than a lot of counties,” Little said. “But when we get spring breakers and our summer vacationers, our functional population goes up. Hopefully, this will lead to some good things for our county.”