Subject:
Title
Grant application to the United States Department of Transportation for the National Infrastructure Investments under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 - Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development program.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the grant application to the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) for the National Infrastructure Investments under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 - Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation grant funding for an amount up to $25 million.
• Grant funding is for the replacement of the Dunedin Causeway Bridges: Main Bascule Bridge and Tide Relief Bridge.
• County is required to provide a local match greater than 20% for a project located in an urban area. The local match is anticipated to be funded by the Local Option Infrastructure Sales Surtax (Penny for Pinellas).
• Total project cost is estimated at $86,909,867.00 for design, construction, and inspection phase services. Should the full grant request in the amount of $25 million be awarded, there will be a remaining expenditure of $61,909,867.00.
• This action authorizes the Transportation Division Director of the Public Works Department to electronically submit the BUILD Transportation grant application.
• This action authorizes the Board Chair to sign the attached Letter of Support on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners.
PID 000423A; Deadline for grant submittal is May 18, 2020. Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to attest.
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Strategic Plan:
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
This request is for the Board of County Commissioners to authorize the Transportation Division Director of the Public Works Department to electronically submit a DOT 2020 BUILD Transportation grant application for an amount up to $25 million.
If awarded, the grant will be used to help fund the cost of constructing a tide relief bridge and mid-level movable bridge in place of the two existing bridges located at the Dunedin Causeway. Anticipated approval of the Project Development and Environment Study for the bridges is expected in June 2020.
The grant application deadline is May 18, 2020. If successful as a recipient of DOT 2020 BUILD grant funding, those funds must be expended by September 30, 2027.
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Background Information:
The existing Dunedin Causeway bridges provides the only access that connects the City of Dunedin to Honeymoon Island State Park. Both bridges were constructed in 1963 and are considered "functionally obsolete" because of their narrow width.
According to a 2015 FDOT Bridge Inspection Report, the main bascule bridge contains fractured critical components and is considered scour critical. It has a sufficiency rating of 48.6 out of 100. There are no shoulders on the bridges and sidewalks on the north side are only three (3) and one-half feet wide. The multi-use path on the south side of the bridge is only six (6) feet wide. Both the main and tide relief bridges do not meet current engineering standards for resisting damage from high waves during significant storms and vessel impact. Ongoing maintenance and repair of the main (bascule) bridge machinery also affects reliability and results in traffic delays. Major rehabilitation or replacement of both bridges is needed to keep the bridges open and the main (bascule) bridge operating efficiently. The County applied for the DOT 2019 BUILD Transportation grant to replace the Dunedin Causeway bridges but was not selected as a recipient.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact to the County with the submission of this grant application. Should funding be approved by the DOT, the federal share of the funding is for an amount up to $25 million. The County will be required to provide a local match greater than 20%. Total projects costs are anticipated to be $86,909,867.00, with up to $25 million in grant funding, and remaining estimated expenditures in the amount of $61,909,867.00.
The 20% local match ($17.4M) is not fully budgeted in the FY20-25 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Plan. The FY21-FY26 CIP request includes $29,170,000.00 and, if approved, will exceed the 20% local match requirement. County staff will also be seeking other grant opportunities to close the funding gap.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works Department
Partners:
Florida Department of Transportation
City of Dunedin
Forward Pinellas
Attachments:
Letter of Support, Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners
OMB Approval of Intent to Apply
Grant Application
DOT Notice of Funding Opportunity
Application for Federal Assistance, SF-424
Project Location Maps
Letter of Support, City of Dunedin
Letter of Support, Forward Pinellas