Board Approves Contractor for Big Bend Scenic Byway Improvements

At the November 18th meeting, the Leon County Commission voted to approve a bid for construction of the Big Bend Scenic Byway (BBSB) Improvements Project to Arris General Contractors Inc., the lowest responsive bidder, in the amount of $1,168,352. This project is fully funded by grants from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Florida Department of Transportation.

Leon County has a Local Agency Program (LAP) Agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to manage the project on behalf of the three-county region utilizing federal grant funds. 

The Big Bend Scenic Byway (BBSB) is a designated 220-mile scenic driving corridor that follows existing state, county, and local roadways through Leon, Wakulla, and Franklin Counties.  It is part of both the Florida Scenic Highways Program and the National Scenic Byways Program, which recognizes roadways of exceptional scenic, natural, cultural, and recreational value.  The designation does not create a new road or trail; instead, it highlights the significance of existing transportation routes that showcase the region’s distinctive landscapes and heritage.

The agenda item notes “The Byway traverses one of Florida’s most ecologically diverse and culturally rich regions, offering access to state and national parks, wildlife refuges, historic towns, and recreational areas.  It preserves an authentic view of ‘Old Florida,’ where coastal marshes, pine forests, and small communities remain largely undeveloped.”

The corridor includes two primary segments: the Forest Trail, which extends through inland forests, rivers, and wetlands, and the Coastal Trail, which follows the Gulf shoreline through estuaries, barrier islands, and historic fishing communities.  Together, these routes connect travelers to hundreds of plant and animal species, archaeological sites, and landmarks that reflect the area’s natural beauty and maritime heritage.  The Byway functions as both a transportation corridor and a regional tourism resource, attracting visitors interested in nature-based recreation while supporting local economies and conservation efforts.

The Big Bend Scenic Byway Improvements Project was developed to enhance visitor experience, interpretive opportunities, and corridor identity.  The BBSB Corridor Management Entity (CME) successfully obtained a Federal Highway Administration grant to fund these improvements, which include the installation of 11 covered informational kiosks, 17 wayside bench exhibits, 13 gateway (portal) signs, and 64 driver approach markers (Attachment #2) across Leon, Wakulla, and Franklin Counties.  These enhancements will improve wayfinding, visitor comfort, and public understanding of the Byway’s natural and cultural features.