Pinellas County, Barrier Islands Traffic Signals, Infrastructure Retrofit Notice

JOINT FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL PUBLIC NOTICE
Published: Sept. 17, 2026

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Florida Division of Emergency Management have received the following application for Federal grant funding.  Final notice is hereby given of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) consideration to provide funding in the form of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Funds will be provided in accordance with Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law 93-288, as amended.

Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), federal actions must be reviewed and evaluated for feasible alternatives and for social, economic, historic, environmental, legal, and safety considerations. Under Executive Order (EO) 11988 and EO 11990 FEMA is required to consider alternatives to and to provide public notice of any proposed actions in or affecting floodplains or wetlands.

Funding for the proposed project will be conditional upon compliance with all applicable federal, tribal, state and local laws, regulations, floodplain standards, permit requirements and conditions.

Applicant:

County of Pinellas

Project Title:

HMGP 4828-211-R (295) Pinellas County, Barrier Islands Traffic Signals, Infrastructure Retrofit

Location of Proposed Work:

The area affected by this project consists of traffic signal cabinets in the following locations:

  • US-19 Alt & West Martin Luther King Jr Drive
  • US-19 Alt & Palm Boulevard
  • US-19 Alt & Michigan Boulevard
  • Gulf Boulevard & Belleair Beach Causeway
  • East Gulf Boulevard & Walsingham Road
  • Gulf Boulevard & Park Boulevard
  • Gulf Boulevard & 153rd Avenue
  • Tom Stuart Causeway & Duhme Road
  • Gulf Boulevard & Madeira Way
  • 150th Avenue & Madeira Way
  • Gulf Boulevard & Welch Causeway
  • Gulf Boulevard & 140th Avenue
  • Gulf Boulevard & 117th Avenue North
  • Gulf Boulevard & 112th Avenue North
  • Gulf Boulevard & 104th Avenue
  • Pasadena Avenue & Park Street South
  • Pasadena Avenue & Gulfport Boulevard
  • Gulfport Boulevard & Oleander Way South
  • Gulf Boulevard & West Gulf Boulevard
  • Pasadena Avenue South & Majestic Way
  • 84th Avenue & Blind Pass Road
  • Boca Ciega Drive & 75th Avenue
  • Blind Pass Road & 75th Avenue
  • 75th Avenue & Gulf Boulevard
  • Corey Avenue & Gulf Boulevard
  • Gulf Winds Drive & Gulf Boulevard
  • 55th Avenue & Gulf Boulevard
  • Dolphin Village & Gulf Boulevard
  • 44th Avenue & Gulf Boulevard
  • Pinella Bayway & Gulf Boulevard
  • 73rd Avenue & Gulf Boulevard

Proposed Work and Purpose:

The project proposes to provide flood protection by installing thirty-one (31) traffic signal cabinets above the BFE to meet the 500-year level of protection. The existing traffic signal cabinets have experienced repeated flooding during storm events, including incidents where floodwater entered the cabinets and submerged electrical components such as load switches, resulting in signal outages, traffic delays, and increased risk to public safety. In response to the challenges posed by extreme weather conditions, the proposed project offers three distinct options for enhancing the protection of traffic signal cabinets. Each option is tailored to address the specific needs of different sites, ensuring that critical infrastructure remains operational even during severe flooding events.

Option 1: Tall Foundation (4’6″) for Base-Mounted Traffic Signal and UPS Cabinets

This option involves elevating the base-mounted traffic signal and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) cabinets on a robust 4 feet 6 inches tall foundation. This substantial elevation provides a higher level of protection against floodwaters, significantly reducing the risk of submergence. The tall foundation ensures that critical electronic components remain above anticipated flood levels, thereby maintaining signal functionality and reducing the likelihood of traffic disruptions.

Option 2: Elevated Cabinet with Stairs Foundation for Base-Mounted Cabinets

The Elevated Cabinet with Stairs Foundation presents a solution for sites requiring enhanced protection. This option offers a customized, fortified base that not only elevates the cabinets significantly but also incorporates additional protective features, such as reinforced barriers and drainage systems. Designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, the Elevated Cabinet with Stairs Foundation offers superior resilience, making it ideal for high-risk areas frequently exposed to severe flooding.

Option 3: Pole-Mounted Cabinet

For sites where elevating the base may not be practical or sufficient, the pole-mounted cabinet option provides an alternative solution. By mounting the cabinets on poles, this option elevates the traffic signal components well above ground level, effectively mitigating the risk of floodwater interference. This configuration ensures the uninterrupted operation of traffic signals even in the event of significant flooding, thereby enhancing safety and reducing the potential for traffic chaos.

Each of these options is designed to address the unique challenges posed by different site conditions, ensuring that traffic signal infrastructure can withstand future climate impacts and continue to facilitate safe and efficient transportation.

Project Alternatives:

The alternatives to the project that have been and will be considered are 1) the no action alternative and 2) Besides the No Action Alternative, the other Feasible Alternative would be to use one of the options out of 3 that best fit the particular site. The budget lists alternatives to the best fit for each cabinet. These alternatives to the proposed project are not viable because under Alternative 1) Traffic signal cabinets play a vital role in maintaining the flow of vehicles and ensuring pedestrian safety at intersections. They house critical electronic components, including load switches that manage the signal lights’ operation. If no action is taken then these components will be compromised by water, resulting in chaotic traffic conditions, increased accident risk, and potential for significant urban gridlock. This year’s hurricane season brought unprecedented rainfall and storm surges, testing the resilience of infrastructure across affected regions. In some cases, floodwaters reached heights sufficient to submerge the load switches within the cabinets, rendering them inoperable.; and Alternative 2) Would be in the same intersection locations as the proposed project.

Comment Period:

Comments are solicited from the public; local, state or federal agencies; and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of the proposed project.  The comments should be made in writing and addressed to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Bureau of Mitigation, 2555 Shumard Oak Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100.  These are due within 15 days of this notice (or by Oct. 8, 2026).  The State will forward comments to applicable regulatory agencies as needed.  Interested persons may submit comments, obtain more detailed information about the proposed action, or request a copy of the findings by contacting:

Meghan Johnson
Pinellas County Grants Management Coordinator
(727) 464-4015
mrjohnson@pinellas.gov

State Environmental Specialist Team
Florida Division of Emergency Management
MitigationEnvironmental@em.myflorida.com