The Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners approved funding for increased law enforcement patrols during peak traffic hours in Tiger Point to reduce speeding and reckless driving in residential areas. Increased traffic, due to the detour around the Pensacola Bay Bridge, has prompted many drivers to take back routes through neighborhoods to avoid congestion on Hwy. 98. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office will provide additional coverage in the area between 6 and 10 a.m., and 2 and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and Saturdays between noon and 8 p.m. through May 31. The bridge is projected to reopen to two lanes the week of Memorial Day.

“I want to thank the men and women of our Sheriff's Office for working to ensure the safety of our citizens," said District 5 Commissioner Colten Wright. "I’m confident that the increased patrols focused on aggressive driving will have a positive impact. Hopefully, we’ll be able to return to a more normal traffic flow within a few weeks.”