Leon County Recognized for Outstanding Public Works Projects

Leon County Recognized for Five Outstanding Public Works Projects

Earlier this month, Leon County Government received five Project of the Year awards from the Big Bend Branch of American Public Works Association (APWA) recognizing outstanding public works projects. Each year, APWA spotlights special projects in the community that have achieved project goals within budget all while exceeding public expectations.

“The County’s award-winning projects demonstrate our commitment to creating safe, long-lasting infrastructure for the community,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Rick Minor. “Well-designed projects such as these serve not just the neighborhoods and businesses of today, but they will also contribute to a high quality of life for future generations.”

This year, the following Leon County Government projects received awards:

• Meridian Road Drainage Improvement Project in the category of Environmental/Stormwater. Historically, heavy rain caused water to run over Meridian Road and created hazardous conditions in the area. To reduce flooding, Leon County improved drainage by installing large box culverts to move water beneath the roadway. Such improvements are also expected to reduce soil erosion, improving the health of adjacent wetlands and Lake Jackson.

• Crowder Road Sidewalk in the category of Transportation. To improve pedestrian safety, Leon County constructed a six-foot wide sidewalk along the north side of Crowder Road and east side of Indian Mound Road. The project also included additional drainage improvements such as the construction of underground storm structures, storm pipes, concrete ditch and sodded swales. 

• Centerville Trace Dam Restoration in the category of Emergency Construction Repair. When homeowners notified the County of a leak in the dam, the County quickly confirmed the leak and conducted a geotechnical analysis of soil samples to determine the extent of needed repairs. To restore dam integrity, an interlocking steel sheet pile retaining wall was built along the center of the dam with a continuous reinforced concrete pile cap, a new dam overflow spillway, a wooden pedestrian boardwalk over the spillway and a stabilized maintenance access road.

• Bradfordville Volunteer Fire Department in the category of Structures. This project consisted of constructing a new fire station in northeast Leon County. The new 1,000 square-foot facility now houses a 2,500-gallon tanker and equipment for the Bradfordville Volunteer Fire Department.

• Old Bainbridge Safety Improvements in the category of Best Performance. With narrow lanes and numerous curves compromising its safety, this segment of Old Bainbridge Road from US-27 to the County Line suffered 120 crashes in five years. To enhance safety, countermeasures were developed including widened shoulders on the outside of curves, added activated solar speed feedback signs, highlighted curve warning signs and intersection ahead warning signs with street name plaques.

“Earning not one, but five distinguished awards showcases how our County teams work alongside our community to produce the best results,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “Our Public Works crews and engineers continue to set the highest standards in public service and infrastructure, all of which will serve our community for years to come.”

The APWA Awards Program promotes excellence in the management and administration of public works projects by recognizing the alliance between the managing agency, the consultant/architect/engineer, and the contractor who accomplished the projects together.

The American Public Works Association is a non-profit international, educational and professional association of public agencies, private companies, and individuals dedicated to improving the quality of life for communities through public works projects and services.

For more information, contact Brent Pell, Director of Public Works, at (850) 606-1500 / PellB@LeonCountyFL.gov or Mathieu Cavell, Community and Media Relations, at (850) 606-5300 / cmr@LeonCountyFL.gov .

 

In 2020, Leon County installed an interlocking steel sheet pile at the Centerville Trace Dam.

 

Leon County improved drainage at Meridian Road by installing large box culverts to move water beneath the roadway.

 

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