FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. (WKRG) — The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office announced wake zone changes near the Brooks Bridge in Fort Walton Beach.

The area under and surrounding the bridge in the Santa Rosa Sound has been a slow-speed/minimum wake zone for years.

Okaloosa County Government said new signage is in place for a half-mile East expansion into Choctawhatchee Bay.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is responsible for patrolling the Santa Rosa Sound area.

Slow Speed/ Minimum Wake Zone Expansion – (Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office)

The expansion sits from The Gulf Restaurant to the Destin West RV Resort on Okaloosa Island and will include the boat ramp at Marler Park.

Starting in 2023, Brooks Bridge is undergoing a replacement project by the Florida Department of Transportation that will disrupt traffic on the roads and in the water periodically.

Okaloosa County Government said FWC planned to expand the boater safety zone more than a year ago. The change will be permanent during and after the FDOT project.

The bridge is expected to be done in the Fall of 2027.