Sept. 6, 2024
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As Salt Lake City works to make roads safer for all people and users, efforts will be furthered with a new $2.9 million federal grant made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program.
“As our City grows, we must meet increased demand with safer routes and pedestrian access on our roads,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “I’m deeply grateful to President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg for their commitment to making our community safer. There’s much more work to be done, so the City will keep pursuing these partnerships. Together, we’ll save lives.”
The federal grant will support roadway improvements along a 6.4-mile stretch of Redwood Road. The westside neighborhood’s population has increased by 20% in recent years, much of which is low-income. With more families calling this area home, there is a need for more pedestrian access to bus stops, sidewalks, and urban trails that connect residents to safer routes downtown, workplaces, schools, and stores.
With assistance from the federal grant and Utah Department of Transportation, the City will implement countermeasures at six stop-controlled intersections along the corridor, including retiming signals, three new high-intensity activated crosswalk beacons, and more sidewalks.
“These safety improvements will make a meaningful impact to the people who use Redwood Road,” said Jon Larsen, Salt Lake City’s Transportation Director, “This project highlights the good that can happen when city, state and federal partners all work together on our shared goal of ending traffic violence.”
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced more than $1 billion worth of awards from the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program. According to USDOT, since launching in 2022, SS4A has funded projects in more than 1,400 communities, supporting roadway safety for nearly 75% of the U.S. population.
The SS4A program is part of Salt Lake City’s continued partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration. The City has applied for and received several federal investments provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve residents’ lives including a Recycling Education and Outreach grant and funding via a federal contribution to the State Revolving Fund for lead service line inventory and replacement.
Tags: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Pete Buttigieg, President Joe Biden, Redwood Road, Safe Streets and Roads for All, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Transportation, UDOT, USDOT