Federal planning grant funding master planning, feasibility studies, and preliminary design for the two Bluffline priority nodes — Jackson Lakes/West Pensacola and Ferry Pass/UWF. This work will produce the foundational plans needed to advance these nodes toward construction funding.
Project Milestones
Grant Announced
$1.2M awarded by USDOT through the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program.
Grant Agreement Executed / Full Obligation
Finalizing the federal grant agreement with USDOT. Full obligation of funds requires completing this process before planning work can formally begin.
Consultant Procurement / Notice to Proceed
Competitive procurement of planning and engineering consultants to execute the RCP scope of work, followed by Notice to Proceed.
Program Management & Work Plan
Establishing coordination structure, roles, budget management, and reporting systems for the planning program.
Stakeholder Mapping & Engagement Strategy
Identifying corridor stakeholders and building a public outreach plan that meaningfully reaches communities in West Pensacola and Ferry Pass.
Community Visioning
Public sessions to define shared goals and guiding values for both priority nodes before design decisions are made.
Master Planning & Alternatives Analysis
Studying alignment and design options at both nodes, evaluating tradeoffs, and identifying the preferred path forward — the community-endorsed preferred alternative.
Feasibility Studies
Technical analysis of alignment options, utility and ownership constraints, rail interfaces, and waterfront conditions. Ferry Pass is the primary node.
Preliminary Design
Early engineering drawings establishing preferred alignments, typical sections, and crossing concepts — the foundation for future construction-ready plans.