USDOT opens $1.17 billion in Safe Streets program funding

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has opened the process for cities, towns, counties, Tribal governments and Metropolitan Planning Organizations to apply directly for a total of $1.17 billion to fund local projects that improve roadway safety.

The funds are from the competitive grant program, Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A), which was created in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to help communities both plan and carry out projects that help reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on highways, streets and roads.

“The crisis of traffic deaths on our nation’s roadways demands urgent and sustained action by us all,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “With our Safe Streets and Roads for All program, we are helping communities across the country save lives by making their roads safer.”

Launching and administering the SS4A grant program is a major element to USDOT’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, launched in 2022 to address the high number of traffic deaths happening across the country.

In February, USDOT announced 473 communities received Action Planning grants and 37 communities received Implementation grants from the first round of SS4A funding. The application process for SS4A is designed to be as easy as possible and increase accessibility to the program, particularly for smaller communities, Tribal governments and recipients new to federal funding. USDOT anticipates awarding at least $250 million in demonstration activities this funding round.