CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Feb. 2, 2023) – The Charlotte Department of Transportation is a recipient of the new Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced Wednesday that Charlotte would receive $4.4 million to address safety needs at intersections and for pedestrians.
The SS4A program grants support the U.S. Department of Transportation's vision of zero roadway deaths and its National Roadway Safety Strategy. This is a comprehensive approach that was launched in January 2022 to make the nation's roadways safer for everyone, including drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and emergency and construction workers, by stressing responsible driving, safer roadway designs, appropriate speed-limit setting, and improved post-crash care, among other strategies.
Mayor Vi Lyles proclaimed Charlotte a Vision Zero Community in 2019, implementing an action plan with a data-driven approach to traffic safety.
"Vision Zero is woven into every decision we make," said Charlotte Department of Transportation Director Debbie Smith. "Through this grant opportunity, we will implement significant infrastructure projects that will get us closer to our goal of zero serious injuries and fatalities on our streets."
SS4A awarded 473 action plan grants and 37 grants for implementation projects across the country. Charlotte's grant will be utilized for implementation projects in three project categories:
Accessible pedestrian signals and
leading pedestrian interval projects – 13 projects total.
Pedestrian crossing projects – 11 projects that may include one or more of the following:
Safe routes to school projects – 9 projects that may include one or more of the following:
High-visibility crosswalks.
Raised crosswalks.
Filling gaps in sidewalk network.
Rectangular rapid flashing beacons.
Pedestrian hybrid beacons.
Buffered bicycle lane.
Visit
charlottenc.gov/VisionZero to learn more about Vision Zero Charlotte and access traffic safety resources.