The US Department cashes up 5 billion to improve state infrastructure

The US Department of Transportation will send money to more than 500 infrastructure projects. It’s about improving highways and tackling road fatalities.

According to a press release from the Ministry, the money is channeled through the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program.

The grant, approved by President Joe Biden under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will provide $5 billion over five years for projects that prevent deaths and serious injuries on the nation’s highways.

As part of the first round of grants, the following were allocated:

• $19.7 million for Hillsborough County, Florida to implement proven safety measures, including sidewalks, bike lanes, and speed management, to improve the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, public transit users, and drivers at approximately 22 locations in the county.

• $10.4 million for Fayette County, Iowa to address exit crashes along approximately 50 miles of roadway through shoulder widening, rumble strips, and other low-cost measures. Lane departure crashes account for almost 60% of deaths and serious injuries in the area.

• $24.8 million to Detroit to upgrade existing transportation infrastructure in high crash areas and areas with inadequate pedestrian infrastructure to focus on pedestrian and bicyclist safety and safer vehicle speeds.

• $4.4 million for Charlotte, NC to help implement the city’s Vision Zero strategies to reduce risky behavior on the roads by improving infrastructure with a focus on safe intersections.

Safe Streets and Roads for All grants fall into two categories: action plan grants and implementation grants.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, action plan grants “help communities that do not currently have a road safety plan to reduce road fatalities by laying the foundation for a comprehensive package of actions.”

Implementation grants provide funding for communities to implement strategies and projects that will significantly reduce or eliminate transportation-related deaths and serious injuries.

90% of all program grants are action plan grants.