Subject:
Title
County incentive grant program agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation for the Forest Lakes Boulevard Phase II project.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the county incentive grant program (CIGP) agreement, and accompanying resolution, with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for the Forest Lakes Boulevard Phase II project, from Pine Avenue North to Racetrack Road/County line.
Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to attest the agreement.
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:
This agreement provides approximately 17% of the construction funding required for reconstruction and widening of Forest Lakes Boulevard from Pine Avenue to the County line. Design of the project is complete. Construction activities are scheduled to begin in June 2018, with completion of construction anticipated by June 2020.
Background Information:
In the late 1990's, Forest Lakes Boulevard was widened to a four-lane divided roadway between Tampa Road and Pine Avenue North. The proposed project will continue this typical section to Race Track Road/County line.
The project will consist of the widening of Forest Lakes Boulevard, from west of Pine Avenue to west of Racetrack Road, to a divided four-lane suburban typical section. Construction activities also include drainage, signing and pavement markings, signals, intelligent transportation system and pedestrian improvements. All work is proposed within the existing right-of-way. Where sidewalk is to remain, curb ramps and sidewalks will be checked for compliance with Americans with Disability Act standards. Existing street lighting in the medians will be replaced due to subsoil excavation. Lighting at the intersections will be replaced or adjusted due to roadway widening. Signalization upgrades and replacements will occur at Pine Avenue and Brooker Creek Boulevard. The existing drainage system will remain by converting drainage basin inlet tops to manhole tops and adding new drainage basin inlets.
Capacity improvements to this bi-County, regional facility will reduce congestion, traffic delays and the potential for crashes relating to merging activities. The proposed improvements will also enhance multi-modal opportunities by providing bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Forest Lakes Boulevard is an emergency evacuation route for County residents and visitors, and functions as one of two, non-state connecting roadways to Hillsborough County that does not include a bridge structure over Tampa
Bay.
Forest Lakes Boulevard is the primary roadway that serves one of the largest commercial, industrial areas in the County. The area surrounding this corridor provides significant employment opportunities to residents of Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco Counties.
This project is consistent with the 2060 Florida Transportation Plan, the County Comprehensive Plan and the 2035 Forward Pinellas Long Range Transportation Plan. This project meets the goals of these transportation plans by reducing traffic congestion and improving capacity along Forest Lakes Boulevard.
Finally, section 14(a) of this agreement requires the County to indemnify and hold harmless the FDOT to the extent permitted by law and as limited by and pursuant to the provisions of Section 768.28, Florida Statutes. Resolution No. 06-70 prohibits the County from indemnifying others under most circumstances. FDOT will not modify the indemnification section of the agreement as this is a standard requirement in their agreements. Staff agrees that the FDOT indemnification requirement is within an acceptable level of risk.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding for this project is included in the Capital Improvement Program: Transportation and Traffic Flow, Arterial Road Projects program allocation. The sources of construction funding are $1,953,091.00 in grant funding from FDOT and $9,617,304.00 from the Local Infrastructure Surtax (Penny for Pinellas).
Staff Member Responsible:
Rahim Harji, P.E., Director of Public Works
Partners:
FDOT
Attachments:
Agreement
Resolution
Project Location Map