Subject:
Title
Grant agreement with the United States Department of Transportation for a Fiscal Year 2023 Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program award.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the grant agreement for the Safe Streets and Roads for All with the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) for the Pinellas I-PED (Impaired Pedestrian-Bicycle Evaluation and Demonstration) Project.
• On July 18, 2023, the Board of County Commissioners approved the grant application for this project. The grant application was for funding for a Pedestrian and Bicyclist Action Plan (Granicus Item 23-0503D).
• On December 13, 2023, DOT notified the department that the application was selected for an award.
• The grant award is $2,500,000.00 for Fiscal Years 2025-2029.
• The County match is $625,000.00.
• Funding for this project is budgeted under the Traffic Safety Improvements Program Project 005125A, included in the Capital Improvement Plan, funded by the Penny for Pinellas.
Total cost of the Action Plan is approximately $3,125,000.00; Grant award is $2,500,000.00 (80%); County Match is $625,000.00 (20%); Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to attest.
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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:
Summary
The Pinellas I-PED (Impaired Pedestrian-Bicycle Evaluation and Demonstration) Project received a Grant in the amount of $2,500,000.00 for Fiscal Years (FY) 2025-2029. County match is $625,000.00 with match funding derived from the Transportation Safety Improvements fund. Grant will provide for the development of a Pedestrian and Bicyclist Action Plan.
The SS4A Grant, will be used by the County to conduct supplemental safety data analysis and planning, including follow-up analysis of 2022 toxicology data to identify trends, conditions, and policy recommendations to mitigate future roadway fatalities caused by being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Temporary demonstration activities such as RRFBs, education/enforcement campaigns, and physical barriers will be tested to determine the most effective countermeasures. This will be a phased agreement and activities will help to inform the County MPO's Vision Zero Action Plan.
In 2021, over 1,200 pedestrians and bicyclists were involved in vehicle crashes in the County of which 88 resulted in a fatality. In a review of toxicology reports, 67% of these deaths showed signs of impairment related to drugs and/or alcohol. This does not account for the more than two dozen deaths that no toxicology reports were available. In addition, 74% of these deaths occurred within 500 feet of a crosswalk.
The Pedestrian and Bicyclist Action Plan will identify steps to reduce pedestrian and bicyclist crashes related to opioid addiction. This includes, educational marketing, transportation assistance, and investing in infrastructure to create and direct to safe crossings and increase visibility with streetlighting. The Action Plan will take a data-driven approach to look beyond the stigma of substance abuse and addiction and develop a long-term strategy to eliminate the loss of life on the County’s transportation system compounded by safety ignorance caused by impairment.
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Background Information:
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the SS4A discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over five years. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. The program supports the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy with the overall goal of zero roadway deaths.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding for this project is budgeted under the Traffic Safety Improvements Program Project 005125A, included in the Capital Improvement Plan, funded by the Penny for Pinellas.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
Senator Marco Rubio
Representative Kathy Castor
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Pinellas County Opioid Task Force
Forward Pinellas
City of Clearwater
Attachments:
Grant Agreement
Notice of Selection
Grant Application
Grant Application Attachments