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Commissioners approve RFQ for design of new railroad crossing, signal and access to Northwest Florida Commerce Park
Summary
To reduce single-point ingress/egress risks at the Northwest Florida Commerce Park, commissioners approved issuing an RFQ for design and permitting services for a new rail crossing, signalization and access improvements on Highway 90, using state funding where available.
Walton County commission authorized staff to issue a request for qualifications (RFQ) for design and permitting services to add a new railroad crossing, signalized intersection and turn‑lane improvements to serve the Northwest Florida Commerce Park.
Engineering staff explained the park currently has limited ingress/egress, and increasing industrial and truck traffic creates the risk of a single‑point failure. Staff identified a nearby railroad crossing slated for closure by an adjacent county; railroad representatives agreed to make a crossing available to Walton County for a limited time window if the county proceeds with design work in a timely fashion.
The board authorized design services RFQ for an estimated design budget of $500,000; staff noted the county had potential funds available to begin design and that state appropriations for construction could be requested. Commissioners also discussed possible mitigation measures for neighborhoods to the east by limiting heavy trucks on their streets, and staff will evaluate options including structural truck restrictions once the new crossing and access are constructed.
The motion to issue the RFQ and pursue design received a unanimous vote.
