New grant programs are creating opportunities for cities and states across the US to fund infrastructure projects aimed at improving road safety and mobility. The Safe Streets and Roads for All program, which is part of the US Department of Transportation’s $5 billion allocation under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, has made its first round of $800 million funding awards. It is currently accepting applications for the next round of grants, which is set to close by mid-July. The funding supports plans and implementation for projects including new sidewalks, ADA accessible curb cutouts, speed cushions, protected bike lanes, and traffic signal modifications aimed at reducing injury and fatalities. Cities and states can receive up to 80% of funding for their projects through this program.
Although US cities have implemented Vision Zero policies to eliminate traffic deaths, the country has seen an alarming rise in traffic-related fatalities and injuries. To address these issues, research from the New York City Department of Transportation points to expanding street space for pedestrians as a measure that could significantly lower the risks of injury and death. The Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program acknowledges the important role local government officials play in identifying and developing appropriate urban street projects that include the necessary safety interventions. Furthermore, the program allows significant control of funding and project timelines of the different projects.
Other programs are focussed on resilience and sustainability. The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) PROTECT programme aims to make transportation infrastructure more resilient to climate change and extreme weather through grants awarded to states, cities, metropolitan planning organisations (MPOs), and tribal governments. These grants can be used to fund vulnerability assessments, or to pay for projects that protect highway infrastructures in coastal areas vulnerable to flooding and sea-level rise, and that create or strengthen evacuation routes for emergencies. FHWA also is providing $350m for a pilot programme to build wildlife crossings that connect habitats and minimise the risk of wildlife-vehicle collisions.
Later this year, more grant programs are expected, including those from Reconnecting Communities grants, which help cities to address harms from historic infrastructure projects, and RAISE grants, which provide funding for transportation projects “with significant local or regional impact.” Boot camps on various programs such as eliminating railroad crossings for transportation safety or programmes such as the Neighborhood Access and Equity Grants, which was established through the Inflation Reduction Act, are being hosted by the Local Infrastructure Hub.
The opportunities to seek out these grants have encouraged states and cities around the US to focus on improving road safety, building new infrastructure and recognizing areas where reimagination is needed. Programs from these grant opportunities offer a major boost for these projects’ execution and further improve the quality of life for residents.
Applications for the Safe Streets and Roads for All programs’ next round of funding are open, and cities and states can apply until mid-July. Interested parties can access information and webinars on the programatic approach on how a successful application process and successful project execution can be made.
Overall, the grant programs are creating opportunities for cities and states to fund infrastructure that addresses important societal and environmental issues, improves street safety, and encourages sustainability.
Original Story at www.governing.com – 2023-05-09 05:04:00
