![There will be some inconvenience for PJ Adams Parkway drivers during construction, Okaloosa Commissioner Nathan Boyles said, but the road will remain open. "It will be far less inconvenient than not doing the project," Boyles said. "The short-term pain will be more than worth the long-term gain. We'll avoid major gridlock." [File photo]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-64c9bc03-4dc4-3096-e053-0100007f3edf-f1a43d24.jpeg)
CRESTVIEW — The Okaloosa County Commission on Wednesday approved financing for phase three of the PJ Adams Parkway project.
The project will add two lanes along the road from Highway 85 to Wild Horse Drive, turning about a mile into a four-lane road.
Construction was broken into four phases while the commission sorted out funding. Wednesday's decision accelerated the project, so construction will begin for the first three phases simultaneously.
Construction should start by the end of the year, County Commissioner Nathan Boyles said.
There will be some inconvenience for drivers, he said, but the road will remain open.
"It will be far less inconvenient than not doing the project," Boyles said. "The short-term pain will be more than worth the long-term gain. We'll avoid major gridlock."
County Engineer Scott Bitterman agreed that the project was necessary despite any construction woes.
"Any roadway construction is inconvenient," he said. "But it will be well worth the inconvenience."
The benefit of starting all three phases at the same time is there will be a "shorter total duration when the roadway is under construction," Bitterman said.
Phase four of the project is delayed until more funding becomes available, according to the commissioners.
Once construction on the road begins, it will last for about a year, Bitterman said.
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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: PJ Adams widening expected to begin by year's end