Subject:
Title
Bridge Investment Program grant application with the Federal Highway Administration for design fees for the replacement of the Dunedin Causeway Bridges.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval by the County Administrator for the Bridge Investment Program Grant Application with the Federal Highway Administration for the replacement of the Dunedin Causeway Bridges.
• The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved submission of the grant application and signed the Letter of Support at the August 16, 2022 BCC Meeting (Granicus Item 22-1230A).
• Grant funding request is for design fees only for the replacement of the Dunedin Causeway Bridges.
• Proposed new bridges will meet all current safety standards and provide enhanced bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
• Grant funding is $4,500,000.00 (73.8%); anticipated County match is $1,600,000.00 (26.2%).
• Application deadline was September 8, 2022.
• No signature is required.
County PID: 000423A; Total project cost approximately $6,100,000.00, with anticipated grant funding received being $4,500,000.00.Body
Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.5 Enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety
Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.4 Invest in infrastructure to meet current and future needs
4.5 Provide safe and effective transportation systems to support the efficient flow of motorists, commerce, and regional connectivity
Summary:
The BCC authorized the County Administrator to approve the grant application for design for the replacement of the Dunedin Causeway Bridges at the August 16, 2022. This was necessary due to time constraints with the County’s consultant, WSP, Inc., who completed the application after the agenda deadline for next BCC meeting. Submission deadline for the grant application was September 8, 2022.
Background/Explanation:
Grant funding will support design fees for the replacement of the Dunedin Causeway bridges in anticipation of construction that is to begin in FY 2025-2026. The proposed new bridges will meet all current safety standards, increase capacity, provide enhanced bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and eliminate the need for frequent repairs. Aging machinery and electrical equipment of the bridges has required ongoing and increasingly intensive intervention to keep the bridges in operation. This project renews infrastructure which is at the end of its useful life and has significant citizen impacts.
The Dunedin Causeway bridges are located on Causeway Boulevard in the City of Dunedin. The two -point five (2.5) mile stretch crosses St. Joseph Sound, a part of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway connecting the mainland of the City of Dunedin from SR 595 (Alternate US 19) to businesses, residential living areas, and the entrance of Honeymoon Island State Park and its barrier islands.
A total of $2.36 billion BIP funds were made available through FHWA, a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) that specializes in highway transportation. Funding will be granted to selected projects that involve bridge replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, and protection.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no change to the funding approval by the BCC.
The total design cost of the Dunedin Causeway Bridges is approximately $6,100,000.00. Requested BIP funding is $4,500,000.00 (73.8%); anticipated County match is $1,600,000.00 (26.2%).
The Dunedin Causeway Bridges project 000423A is currently reflected in the proposed budget funded by the Local Infrastructure Sales Surtax (Penny for Pinellas) and will provide the local match.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to approve grant application is per BCC Delegated Authority provided during the August 16, 2022 BCC Meeting.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
USDOT
FHWA
City of Tarpon Springs
Attachments:
Grant Application
Appendices A - F
BCC Letter of Support
OMB Intent to Apply
Project Location Map
Notice of Funding Opportunity