Hathaway Bridge commuters feel the slowdown as construction zone speed limit drops

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Expect to hit the brakes when heading across the Hathaway Bridge.

On July 7, the third segment of the 98 widening project kicked off. It starts at Richard Jackson Blvd. and ends at the Hathaway Bridge. The Florida Department of Transportation is bringing the speed limit down from 45 to 35 on the bridge, forcing drivers to pump the brakes.

“I feel like I’m driving slower than I am when I am driving. It also feels like people are constantly flying by me to the point where it almost feels unsafe, but I don’t want to get a ticket,” said Destiny Jagers, who commutes over the bridge daily for work.

While construction is not taking place on the bridge itself, it is happening at the foot of the bridge. FDOT staff said they are reducing the speed westbound to protect workers.

“You might want to leave a little bit early, give yourself a little bit of extra time due to reduced speed limits through that area. But more importantly, those are there for their safety and for the safety of the workers in the work zone,” said FDOT spokesperson Ian Satter.

Already a month into the project, FDOT has made progress, but there are more road adjustments and potential headaches to come, Satter said.

“People can expect lane shifts; they can expect different conditions throughout the cones and barrels and barriers being put in places that they might not know,” Satter said. “But we will do our best to inform the public of any traffic changes that are coming.”

The first segment of the widening project finished a year earlier than projected. Much of the work takes place at night, but drivers will see activity during the day, Satter said.

The entire project is expected to wrap up by late 2030.

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Hathaway Bridge commuters feel the slowdown as construction zone speed limit drops

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