We are happy to announce that after extensive renovations and reconstruction work, the Blue Mountain Beach Access has been reopened for public use. The sidewalk along the beautiful blue mountain beach access was severely damaged in October last year after a vehicle accident.
The crash happened on County Road 83 when, according to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 34-year-old man from Illinois was driving down County Road 83 at a high speed in inclement weather he fell asleep at the wheel. The driver lost control and hit Blue Mountain Road, leaving extensive damage to the railings at the base of the beach access.
The mangled SUV was found at the bottom of the beach access off Blue Mountain Road. Troopers said that the car traveled down the slope to the beach and came to a halt at the bottom of the walkway.
Fortunately, the access was unoccupied at the time of the accident and no pedestrians were hurt.
Sobriety tests determined the driver was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. However, he was issued a citation for careless driving.
Walton County Beach Operations Director Brian Kellenberger commented, “The accident and subsequent retrieval of the vehicle back over the dune caused extensive damage to the boardwalk/dune walkover. The entire boardwalk and portions of the sidewalk and curb will need to be replaced. I am working with our Legal and Purchasing departments to determine the quickest way to get started and complete the design/permitting/contracting processes to get the facility rebuilt. I am not sure on the schedule at this time, but for the immediate future, the public beach access will be closed. I anticipate that even with an expedited design/permitting/construction process it will take between three to six months to re-open.”
The Beach Operations team has managed to finish the repairs ahead of schedule and just in time for Spring break and summer.
