Christmas Comes Early as Leon County Secures $16.8 Million Federal SS4A Grant to Improve Safety on North Monroe Street

Funding will support corridor-wide safety upgrades along seven miles of North Monroe Street (US 27/SR 63) for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers.

Leon County Government has secured a $16.8 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program for the North Monroe Street Safety Implementation project. USDOT announced the award on December 23, 2025. The project is estimated to cost $21 million total, including the required local match, which will be funded through Blueprint.
 
The awarded grant will help Leon County address longstanding challenges with a comprehensive, corridor-wide approach.
 
“Leon County is proud to receive this federal grant to deliver corridor-wide safety upgrades,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Christian Caban. “North Monroe Street is a vital part of our community. These improvements will make the corridor safer and more accessible for residents, visitors, and businesses.”
 
The North Monroe Street Safety Implementation project will implement corridor-wide improvements along the seven-mile North Monroe Street (US 27/SR 63) from West Tharpe St. to Capital Circle NW/Old Bainbridge Rd. Planned improvements include:

• Fill sidewalk gaps.
• Fill bike lane gaps.
• Install pedestrian fencing.
• Add signalized mid-block crossings.
• Construct raised medians.
• Add median refuges.
• Install high-emphasis crosswalks.
• Upgrade intersections with targeted safety features, including:
  • Leading pedestrian intervals (LPIs), traffic signals that give pedestrians a few seconds’ head start to enter the crosswalk before vehicles get a green light.
  • Rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs) at ramps.
  • Speed feedback signs.
  • Blank-out signs.
  • Turn-lane modifications.
  • Detectable warning surfaces.

“North Monroe Street is a vital corridor for our community, and this significant federal investment will help us deliver meaningful, measurable safety improvements for everyone who uses it,” said Leon County Commissioner District 3 Rick Minor. “This grant strengthens our ongoing commitment to reducing serious crashes and protecting vulnerable roadway users, including pedestrians and bicyclists.”
 
The project aligns with the Safe System Approach and incorporates safety strategies consistent with the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Proven Safety Countermeasures, targeting reductions in rear-end, angle, and sideswipe crashes and improving safety at crossings for vulnerable roadway users.
 
“Leon County values our partnership with USDOT and the Federal Highway Administration and is eager to move forward with the grant process and complete local and state planning activities in 2026,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “This funding allows us to implement proven countermeasures, stage construction to minimize disruptions, and deliver high-impact improvements within the existing right-of-way.”
 
The project implementation schedule over the next five years includes local and state planning in 2026, survey and design complete in 2027, with development and construction from 2028 to 2030.

For more information, please contact Mathieu Cavell, Leon County Community and Media Relations, at (850) 606-5300 / CMR@LeonCountyFL.gov.

###