Subject:
Title
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program applications with the Florida Division of Emergency Management for the replacement of span wire supported traffic signals and modification of traffic control cabinets to mitigate storm impacts.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of two Hazard Mitigation Grant Program applications with the Florida Division of Emergency Management for the replacement of span wire supported traffic signals and modification of traffic control cabinets to mitigate storm impacts.
• Funding will support hardening of span wire-supported traffic signals with mast arm traffic signals at five intersections and modification of thirty-five signal control cabinets located on major evacuation routes.
• Total requested grant funding is $8,229,000.00. County match is $2,743,000.00.
• Grant application submission deadline is May 21, 2025.
• Grant applications are electronic submission and require executed Authorizing Agent Approval forms uploaded at time of application.
• The County match is included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 of Public Works in the County Transportation Trust Fund as well as in the FY26 budget request of Public Works in the County Transportation Trust Fund.
PID 006200A; Project costs are approximately $10,972,000.00, with requested grant amount $8,229,000.00. County match is $2,743,000.00.
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Strategic Priorities:
Resilient Infrastructure and Environment
1.1 Improve traffic flow efficiency
1.2 Maintain and enhance County infrastructure
1.5 Strengthen resilience and adaptation
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.2 Enhance community safety
Summary:
Summary
The HMGP applications seek funding to harden County traffic signal infrastructure and modify traffic control cabinets to mitigate risk from future hazards. Anticipated HMGP funding is $8,229,000.00. The County match is $2,743,000.00. The total project cost is $10,972,000.00. Five (5) existing span wire supported traffic signals will be replaced with mast arm traffic signals on hurricane evacuation routes to provide stronger infrastructure that is less likely to go out of service from future storm events reducing risk to public safety.
New mast arms will also help ensure that hurricane evacuation routes remain open post-storm to emergency personnel, as well as reduce future maintenance and repair cost. Approximately thirty-five (35) traffic signal control cabinets are proposed to be modified to increase resilience and mitigate flood impacts during storms. The cabinets house sensitive electronic equipment to operate the traffic signals and include an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) to maintain signal operations to support evacuations and emergency response during a power outage.
Upon Board of County Commissioners approval, staff will electronically submit the applications. In the event this Grant, related to Hurricane Debby is not awarded to the County, there may be consideration of submitting this project request for a future HMGP opportunity.
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Background Information:
As a result of the Presidential Disaster Declaration (FEMA 4806-DR-FL) for Hurricane Debby, the County was allocated $10.5 million in HMGP funding. During Hurricane Debby in August of 2024, numerous span wire traffic signals fell, and traffic signal boxes were damaged from storm-force winds. The damage resulted in traffic signals becoming inoperable, blocking access on the roadway and creating dangerous situations.
These projects benefit the entire County. More resilient traffic infrastructure will be less likely to go out of service during storm events, reducing risk to public safety. Mast arm signals and modified traffic cabinets will allow for roads to remain open and emergency personnel to have better access to support citizen needs and will reduce future maintenance and repair costs.
The grant process is directed through the County’s Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) Working Group. Projects are ranked and selected by the LMS Working Group to receive an endorsement letter for submission with an application to the State of Florida Division of Emergency Management.
Fiscal Impact:
Total project cost is approximately $10,972,000.00. Requested grant funding is $8,229,000.00 (75%). Anticipated County match is $2,743,000.00 (25%).
The County match is included in the FY25 of Public Works in the County Transportation Trust Fund as well as in the FY26 budget request of Public Works in the County Transportation Trust Fund.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM)
Local Mitigation Strategy Working Group (LMS)
Attachments:
Authorizing Agent Approval Form - Mast Arms
Authorizing Agent Approval Form - Cabinets
LMSWG Intent to Apply Form - Mast Arms
LMSWG Intent to Apply Form - Cabinets
Project Scoring Sheet - Mast Arms
Project Scoring Sheet - Cabinets
OMB Intent to Apply Email