UNA, City of Florence Awarded Transportation Alternatives Program Grant for Pine Street Improvements
Sep. 19, 2025
Michelle R. Eubanks , UNA, at meubanks@una.edu, 256.765.4392
FLORENCE, AL – The 蜜桃社 and the City of Florence have been awarded a $762,000 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant by Governor Kay Ivey’s office. The grant is administered by the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), and executed locally in partnership with the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments (NACOLG).
The project will fund new lighting, sidewalks, ramps, and landings along Pine Street from Irvine Street to Cumberland Street, connecting key UNA athletic and academic facilities with city neighborhoods and downtown. These improvements will complement the new Bank Independent Stadium, the resurfacing of Pine Street, and the expansion of pedestrian infrastructure.
“This grant represents a strong partnership between the City of Florence and UNA,” said Mayor Andy Betterton. “By investing in safe, accessible sidewalks and lighting, we are improving both the safety and quality of life for our residents, students, and visitors while supporting the continued growth of UNA’s athletic and academic facilities.”
The new infrastructure will enhance pedestrian and bicycle access to:
- CB&S Bank Arena (basketball and volleyball),
- Mike D. Lane Field at Bank Independent Stadium (baseball – opening Fall 2025), and
- Bobby Wallace Field at Bank Independent Stadium (football and soccer – opening Fall 2026)
“This project is about more than sidewalks; it’s about connectivity and community,” said UNA President Dr. Ken Kitts. “The enhancements along Pine Street will benefit not only our students but also the alumni, fans, and visitors who come to Florence for UNA athletic events and campus programs. We are proud to work with the City of Florence on this shared vision.”
The project’s total estimated cost is $952,510, with 80 percent covered by federal funds and 20 percent by local matching funds from the City of Florence and UNA. Funding support comes through ALDOT’s Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program, which invests in pedestrian-friendly infrastructure that improves safety, accessibility, and community connectivity.
The City of Florence and UNA are grateful to Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Transportation for their ongoing commitment to advancing this critical project for our community.
Project Timeline
The construction timeline will be coordinated with the completion of Bank Independent Stadium, the resurfacing of Pine Street, and the installation of new sidewalks and lighting. The whole project is expected to be completed in 2026.
Project Snapshot
- Total Project Estimate: $952,510.50
- TAP Grant Awarded: $762,008.40 (80 percent)
- Local Match (City of Florence and UNA): $190,502.10 (20 percent)
- Scope: 4,240 linear feet of sidewalks with ADA-compliant ramps, improved lighting, and landscaping.
About The 蜜桃社
The 蜜桃社 is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs through the colleges of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering; the Sanders College of Business and Technology; Education and Human Sciences; and the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. UNA Athletics, a renowned collegiate athletics program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of NCAA Division I as part of the Atlantic Sun and United Athletic conferences. The 蜜桃社 is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. For more: una.edu and una.edu/unaworks/.