Perdido Key is a barrier island which is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore chain of islands that stretches for hundreds of miles along the Intercoastal Waterway.

Two separate projects were undertaken by the Florida Department of Transportation to design a Multi-Use Path that extends from River Road to the Alabama/Florida State line along Perdido Key Drive, formerly State Road 292. The intent of the project was to construct an 8’ (concrete) multi-use path along the North side of Perdido Key Drive. The project was prompted by pedestrian related crashes and fatalities in recent years. Design contracts were initiated by FDOT in 2017 with subsequent contract amendments through 2019.

On November 6, 2019, Escambia County took ownership of Perdido Key Drive through a transfer agreement with FDOT from Gongora Drive to the Alabama State line. At the time of the ownership transfer, design and permitting were not completed. Design services are needed to finalize design, complete utility coordination and permitting prior to commencement of construction activities. The design assignment agreements would allow Escambia County to complete the Multi-Use Pathway and improve community safety.

The Perdido Key Drive Multi Use Path East project extended from River Road to the western boundary of Perdido Key State Park. The path is 4.26 miles in length and joins the western project segment at the State Park border. This project has an extensive wildlife mitigation program to protect critical habitat for endangered species.