BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
On the heels of Starke’s announcement of more than $23 million awarded for its water system improvement and extension project comes the announcement of millions more for Bradford, Union and Keystone Heights.
More than $311 million has been awarded to 37 Florida communities, 32 of which were rural cities and counties. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the awards, which will be paid for out of the Rural Infrastructure Fund as well as the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Infrastructure Repair Program.
The latter of two programs is aiding communities impacted by major storms in 2023 and 2024. That includes Bradford County, which is receiving more than $5.95 million for Southwest 163rd Avenue between Southwest 75th Avenue and Southwest 101st Avenue. According to Bradford County Public Works Director Jason Dodds, the road received significant damage when Tropical Storm Debby passed by in 2024, resulting in multiple road closures.
The grant will allow Bradford to structurally reinforce the roadway by adding base and pavement and reestablishing the roadside swales by regrading and adding erosion protection.
The Keystone Heights Airport’s award will also pay for pavement — a $2.95 million extension to Runway 2. Funded through the Rural Infrastructure Fund, the award will expand the runway from 75 feet to 100 feet wide, improving operational efficiency, capacity and accommodating a broader range of aircraft, according to the airport.
“This project is a phenomenal opportunity for the Keystone Heights Airport. The airport’s core role revolves around military training in large aircraft such as the C-27, C-130 and P-3 Orion aircraft. Widening of the secondary runway allows for operations in a wider range of weather conditions and enhances safety margins for all types of private, business and military aircraft operating at the Keystone Heights airport. The widening project also intends to attract aeronautical development on the north side of the secondary runway,” said Airport Manager Craig Coon.
According to the airport, the update is critical as traffic demand grows, but prioritizes safety and sustainability, assuring safer takeoffs and landings for larger private and military aircraft, reducing operational constraints and supporting future growth.
Finally, Union County is getting a share of the disaster recovery dollars. The county was awarded more than $1.4 million to construct a hardened public safety communications tower and upgrade the county’s current emergency dispatch system.
“These infrastructure projects will help make Florida more prosperous, more resilient, and better prepared to weather any storms that may come our way,” Gov. DeSantis said.
