Subject:
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Grant agreement with the United States Department of Transportation for the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant for the Pinellas Impaired Pedestrian-Bicycle Evaluation and Demonstration project.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the grant agreement with the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) for the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant for the Pinellas Impaired Pedestrian-Bicycle Evaluation and Demonstration project.
• The Board of County Commissioners approved the grant application for this project on July 18, 2023. The grant application was for funding a Pedestrian and Bicyclist Action Plan.
• The USDOT notified Pinellas County the application was selected for an award on December 13, 2023.
• Grant award is for $2,500,000.00 over Fiscal Years 2026-2030.
• County match is $625,000.00. Funding is derived from the Local Infrastructure Sales Tax (Penny for Pinellas).
• Funding for project is budgeted under the Traffic Safety Improvements Program Project 005125A, included in the Capital Improvement Plan.
Total cost of the Pedestrian and Bicyclist Action Plan is approximately $3,125,000.00; Grant award is $2,500,000.00 (80%); County Match is $625,000.00 (20%); Agreement Term expires August 31, 2030; Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to attest.
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Strategic Priorities:
Resilient Infrastructure and Environment
1.1 Improve traffic flow efficiency
1.2 Maintain and enhance county infrastructure
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.2 Enhance community safety
Summary:
Summary
The Pinellas I-PED Project award is for $2,500,000.00 for FY 2026-2030. The County match is $625,000.00. The award will provide for the development of a Pedestrian and Bicyclist Action Plan (PBAP). The SS4A Grant award will be used 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. This will be a phased agreement, and activities will help to inform the County MPO's (Forward Pinellas) Vision Zero Action Plan. Temporary demonstration activities such as Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB), Forward Pinellas Education/Enforcement Campaigns, and physical barriers will be tested to determine the most effective countermeasures.
The PBAP will identify steps to reduce pedestrian and bicyclist crashes related to opioid addiction. This includes educational marketing, transportation assistance, investing in infrastructure to create and direct people to safe crossings, and increasing crossing visibility with streetlighting. The PBAP 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 impairment.
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Background Information:
In 2021, over 1,200 pedestrians and bicyclists were involved in vehicle crashes in Pinellas County - 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 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.
The Board previously approved this Grant Agreement through Legistar No. 24-2143A on January 14, 2025. However, the Federal Government required further revision and did not execute the original Agreement.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding for this project is budgeted under the Traffic Safety Improvements Program Project 005125A, included in the Capital Improvement Plan. County match funds will be derived through Penny for Pinellas.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
USDOT
Attachments:
Grant Agreement with Attachments A-F
Notice of Selection
Grant Application
Grant Application Attachments