Project: SR 20 & CR 83A W Intersection Improvements
Project Overview
The intersection improvement and signalization of this busy intersection is being managed by Walton County. Wonderful Walton Economic Development Alliance is supporting the project by managing a grant under an interlocal agreement. Due to a significant number of military, federal workers and defense contractors using this intersection the improvement received the endorsement of the military. The City of Freeport also advocated for this critical improvement. The grant agreement requires project completion by June 2026. The estimated completion date will be defined once the construction bid award is announced and a delivery date for the traffic signal components are known.
Representative of a typical morning at approximately 7:00am during the week.
Improve will result in left and right northbound turn lanes with additional safety measures at the intersection.
Updates
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July 7, 2025 – One Permit to Go, Procurement Phase Approaching
We're now on the verge of transitioning from design to construction procurement for the much-anticipated intersection improvement project. The team has worked diligently to resolve the final outstanding requirement: the FDOT drainage connection permit.
Key updates:
The design engineer has submitted responses addressing all of FDOT’s final comments regarding the drainage permit.
Utility coordination is nearly complete, streamlining preparation for the construction phase.
Walton County is evaluating internal purchasing thresholds to allow for direct procurement of signal mast arms, a proactive move to avoid lead-time delays.
Sources of supply for key signal components are identified.
Once the final drainage permit is received, the County will begin developing the invitation to bid (ITB) for construction.
The County will also move forward with selecting an engineering firm to provide construction oversight and contract management.
We're grateful for the continued partnership between County staff, FDOT, and our engineering consultants. With the final permit expected soon, Wonderful Walton is one step closer to breaking ground on this critical infrastructure improvement. Stay tuned!
June 25, 2025 – We’re in the final stretch of the design effort!
The last remaining item before this intersection improvement project can move forward to construction is the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) drainage permit.
FDOT staff recently conducted a site visit to review drainage conditions along the south side of Highway 20. In response to their request for additional information, our engineering team has provided all necessary documentation and fully addressed each FDOT comment.
Key updates:
The drainage permit is the final requirement before the County can begin the procurement process for construction.
The project’s signalization plans are 100% complete.
Mast arms and possibly some key signal components are being procured directly by Walton County to avoid long lead times and keep the project on schedule.
Once FDOT issues the final approval, the complete design and permit package will be submitted to Walton County for review and public advertisement for bidding.
We are grateful for the collaboration between County staff, FDOT, and our engineering partners Panhandle Engineering and Construction Services. Stay tuned for exciting updates as Wonderful Walton moves closer to selecting a construction contractor and breaking ground on this much-anticipated improvement!
July 7, 2025 – One Permit to Go, Procurement Phase Approaching
We're now on the verge of transitioning from design to construction procurement for the much-anticipated intersection improvement project. The team has worked diligently to resolve the final outstanding requirement: the FDOT drainage connection permit.
Key updates:
The design engineer has submitted responses addressing all of FDOT’s final comments regarding the drainage permit.
Utility coordination is nearly complete, streamlining preparation for the construction phase.
Once the final drainage permit is received, the County will begin developing the invitation to bid (ITB) for construction.
The County will also move forward with selecting an engineering firm to provide construction oversight and contract management.
We're grateful for the continued partnership between County staff, FDOT, and our engineering consultants. With the final permit expected soon, Walton County is one step closer to breaking ground on this critical infrastructure improvement. Stay tuned!
June 18, 2025 – Only one permit remains to be worked before the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) can approve the intersection improvement project to move forward. Walton County Engineering and their consultant are actively addressing an additional FDOT request for information related to drainage. The FDOT comments are expected to be resolved by the end of this week, allowing the review process to continue.
The signalization plans are 100 percent designed, enabling the County to directly purchase the signal lights and mast arms.
The mast arms have a long lead time. This direct procurement strategy should help save both time and money.
Once the final permit is received, the County will move quickly to develop the invitation to bid for construction.
Look for exciting updates from Wonderful Walton as this project moves forward.
June 4, 2026 - We are almost at the 100 percent design stage for the County to take the necessary steps to go out to bid. The design engineering firm has secured the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) driveway access permit for the project. The FDOT drainage permit is the only remaining permit pending. Once the final drainage permit from FDOT is received, the following actions will take place:
The final construction plans and complete permit package will be submitted to the Walton County for review and concurrence to proceed with public advertisement.
Once the County approval to proceed is received, the engineering firm will coordinate with the County to schedule an intake meeting to start the procurement cycle. This will initiate the development of a bid package.
Look for exciting updates from Wonderful Walton as this project moves forward.
