Subject:
Title
2026 Surface Transportation Block Grant Funding application for the construction of East Lake Road from south of Curlew Road to north of Trinity Boulevard.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the 2026 Surface Transportation Block Grant Funding application seeking funding for the construction of East Lake Road from south of Curlew Road to north of Trinity Boulevard.
• The grant request is $71,000,000.00 for construction of project for Fiscal Years 2031 through 2035.
• While final construction design has not been decided, the project will seek to reconfigure intersections for improved traffic flow, increased traffic carrying capacity and possibly widen the roadway footprint.
• The proposed County match is $70,400,00.00.
• The County’s contribution is anticipated to be funded by the Penny for Pinellas.
• Funding for this project is budgeted under East Lake Road (CR 611) from south of Curlew Road to north of Trinity Boulevard. (CR 966) Project 003879A, included in the Capital Improvement Plan, anticipated to be funded by the Penny for Pinellas.
PID 003879A; Total estimated project cost is $141,400,000.00; grant funding request is $71,000,000.00 with a $70,400,000.00 County match.
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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 2026 Surface Transportation Block Grant Funding application, if awarded, will provide $71,000,000.00 for construction improvements to East Lake Road from south of Curlew Road to north of Trinity Boulevard for FY 2031 through 2035. Project costs are expected to be $141,400,000.00 with local funds supporting the required match of $70,400,000.00.
The County will seek innovative intersection configurations to improve traffic flow, along with increasing capacity, by widening the road to the inside of the footprint to reduce or eliminate right-of-way impacts. The preliminary engineering study indicates proposed improvements will significantly improve traffic level of service during peak periods and reduce the number and severity of crashes.
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Background Information:
The County is working with Forward Pinellas to obtain construction funding for the East Lake Road Corridor Improvement Project. The United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program provides flexible funding that may be used for projects to preserve and improve conditions and performance on any Federal-aid highway. The STBG program funding is made available through State transportation agencies.
STBG is an apportioned (formula) program, which means the funds are only made available to the States by a formula contained in law, which is different than a discretionary grant program where eligible applicants may competitively seek funding through a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). This STBG application is the County’s first request to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for construction funding to be considered in the next Five-Year (5) Work Program.
East Lake Road was originally constructed with a wide median to accommodate future capacity improvements north of Tampa Road. As proposed through the Preliminary Corridor Analysis and Alternative Development Study Report, prepared for the project corridor by the County in September 2022, one additional twelve-foot travel lane could be included in each direction along the inside of East Lake Road within the median to widen the facility from four lanes (4) to six lanes (6). This inside widening option could reduce the need to expand the roadway to the outside and potentially impact adjacent properties.
Fiscal Impact:
Grant application is for $71,000,000.00 with a proposed match of $70,400,000.00 proposed in local funding. Anticipated project cost is $141,400,000.00.
The grant, if awarded, is on a reimbursement basis. Funding for this project is budgeted under the East Lake Rd (CR 611) from S of Curlew Road to N of Trinity Blvd. (CR 966) Project 003879A, included in the Capital Improvement Plan, anticipated to be funded by the Penny for Pinellas.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
N/A
Attachments:
Grant Application
East Lake Road Corridor (CR 611) Improvement Project Packet
Intent to Apply
PW Director Memo