Public Notice: FEMA Grant for Traffic Signal Mast Arm, Infrastruct...
Published on August 24, 2021
Public Notice: FEMA Grant for Traffic Signal Mast Arm, Infrastructure Protective Measures
JOINT FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL PUBLIC NOTICE
August 24, 2021
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. EO 12898 also requires FEMA to provide the opportunity for public participation in the planning process and to consider potential impacts to minority or low-income populations.
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:
Osceola County
Project Title:
HMGP-4468-035-R-(052) - Osceola County, Traffic Signal Mast Arm, Infrastructure Protective Measures
Location of Proposed Work:
This project proposes to replace existing traffic signals at the following intersections:
Celebration Boulevard @ Celebration Avenue; Celebration Avenue @ Celebration Place; Celebration Place @ Celebration Place; Old Canoe Creek Road @ Road and Bridge; Cypress Parkway @ Doverplum Avenue; Fortune Road @ Lakeside Drive; Michigan Avenue @ Carroll Street; Michigan Avenue @ Donegan Avenue; Michigan Avenue @ Mill Slough Road; Osceola Parkway @ International Drive; Osceola Parkway @ Seralago Boulevard; Osceola Parkway @ Dyer Boulevard; Pug Mill Road @ Pleasant Hill Road; Osceola Parkway @ Michigan Avenue.
Proposed Work and Purpose:
Osceola County has identified 14 intersections that pose an immediate safety and well-being threat to citizens – particularly during critical weather events – due to their aged and deteriorated condition. This project will replace all 47 traffic control devices at the 14 intersections. Six intersections with span wires will be replaced with mast arm assemblies; and 8 intersections will be replaced with new mast arm equipment. All new equipment will be able to withstand winds of up to 150 miles per hour.
Project Alternatives:
The alternative to the project that has been and will be considered is the no action alternative. This alternative is not viable because the traffic signal assemblies will continue to deteriorate. A second alternative that has been and will be considered is to rebuild traffic signals as funds become available in the County’s Capital Improvement Plan. This alternative is not viable because current funding availability would limit signal replacement to approximately one intersection per year.
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 September 8,2021. 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:
Kathy Lee, P.E., Traffic Engineer
Osceola County
407-742-4514
Kathy.Lee@Osceola.org
Cary Helmuth, State Lead Environmental Specialist:
Florida Division of Emergency Management
(850) 815-4514
Cary.Helmuth@em.myflorida.com