TO: Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr.; County Administrator
Nancy A. Bunt; Assistant County Administrator
David Schryver; Acting Public Works Director
Ryan Sweeney; Acting Planning & Development Services Director
FROM: Brian Freeman, AICP; MPO Staff Director
DATE: November 21, 2025
SUBJECT: Approval of an Agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation and Florida East Coast
Railroad for the Closure of the Old Dixie Highway Railroad Crossing
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BACKGROUND
On behalf of Indian River County, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recently completed a Project Development and Environmental (PD&E) Study to widen CR 510 to four lanes from 58th Avenue to east of US 1. This section of CR 510 also includes a Florida East Coast (FEC) railroad crossing.
It is FEC policy to require the closing of an existing railroad crossing in exchange for adding lanes at another crossing. FDOT has proposed closing the Old Dixie Highway crossing to offset the widening of CR 510 at the FEC crossing.
At its January 28, 2025 meeting, the Board approved a resolution in support of closing the Old Dixie Highway crossing. Since then, County staff has submitted an application to close the railroad crossing. Recently, FDOT has also prepared an agreement (known as a Stipulation of Parties) to be approved by the County, FDOT, and FEC for the closure of the railroad crossing. At this time, FDOT is requesting the Board approve the Stipulation of Parties.
ANALYSIS
The Old Dixie Highway crossing is located south of Woodmere Road in Sebastian. In the vicinity of the FEC crossing, Old Dixie Highway is a narrow road (approximately 10-12 feet in width) with two-way traffic on limited right-of-way. MPO staff has coordinated with the Sheriff’s Office and the Emergency Services Department, and both agencies support closing the Old Dixie Highway railroad crossing because of the narrow condition of the road.
BUDGETARY IMPACT
There is no cost to the County associated with this request.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTIONS
On August 15, 2023, the Board provided conceptual approval to closing the Old Dixie Highway railroad crossing. On January 28, 2025, the Board approved Resolution 2025-002 in support of closing the crossing.
POTENTIAL FUTURE BOARD ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Infrastructure
OTHER PLAN ALIGNMENT
The closure of the Old Dixie Highway railroad crossing is consistent with the MPO’s Long Range Transportation Plan.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners approve the Stipulation of Parties for the Closure of the Old Dixie Highway Crossing.