Massachusetts Communities Getting $30.6 Million to Increase Road Safety

02/14/2023
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing approximately $30.6 million has been awarded to 17 municipalities and Regional Planning Agencies through the first round of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program. The Program was established through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and includes approximately $5 billion in appropriated funds to be awarded over the next five years.  Approximately $1 billion has been appropriated specifically for the FY2022 grant rounds.

“MassDOT is pleased to work collaboratively with municipal leaders, Metropolitan Area Planning Councils and Regional Planning Agencies to further the goals of Safe Streets for All,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Gina Fiandaca. “We will continue to support the development of safety action plans and continue to work with our partners to improve transportation infrastructure to help make travel safer for the public whether people choose to walk, bike, take public transportation or drive.”

The SS4A program funding awards can be used to improve roadway safety by supporting communities in developing comprehensive safety action plans based on a Safe Systems Approach, conduct data analyses, and implement projects and strategies that seek to significantly reduce or eliminate transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries involving pedestrians, bicyclists, micromobility users, motorists, public transportation customers, users of personal conveyance, and commercial vehicle operators.  Additionally, awarded funding can also be used to support robust stakeholder engagement in order to ensure that all community members have a voice in developing plans, projects, and strategies.

The recipients of the first round of FY2022 SS4A program funding awards are as follows:   

Barnstable County/Cape Cod Commission ($240,000): The award will be used to develop a comprehensive safety action plan.  

Berkshire Regional Planning Commission ($198,593): The award will be used to develop a comprehensive safety action plan. 

Boston Metropolitan Area Planning Council ($2,238,680): The award will be used to develop a comprehensive safety action plan.
 
City of Boston ($9,000,000): The award will be used at nine intersections to employ low-cost, high-impact strategies through a safety and equity lens for Complete Streets. The principal safety issues addressed are speeding, pedestrian crashes, as well as visibility issues and blind spots. 

City of Salem ($200,000): The award will be used to develop a comprehensive safety action plan. 

City of Somerville ($116,800): The award will be used to conduct additional data analysis and pursue quick-build projects under the existing safety action plan. 

City of Springfield: ($15,012,800): The award will be used to implement systemic safety countermeasures at 15 intersections and 10 corridors with a disproportionately high number of fatal and serious injury crashes located across Springfield. Planned systemic interventions include intersection and signal improvements, pedestrian/cyclist enhancements (crosswalk improvements, sidewalk upgrades, lighting, ADA improvements), roadway conspicuity treatments, and intersection/corridor speed management treatments.
 
City of Worcester ($200,000): The award will be used to develop a comprehensive safety action plan. 

Merrimack Valley Planning Commission ($375,233): The award will be used to develop a comprehensive safety action plan. 

Montachusett Regional Planning Commission ($750,000): The award will be used to develop a comprehensive safety action plan. 
 
Old Colony Planning Council ($320,000): The award will be used to develop a comprehensive safety action plan. 

Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District ($880,000): The award will be used to develop a comprehensive safety action plan. 

Town of Dedham ($207,841): The award will be used to develop a comprehensive safety action plan. 

Town of Nantucket ($460,000): The award will be used to develop a comprehensive safety action plan. 

Town of Southbridge ($60,000): The award will be used to develop a comprehensive safety action plan. 

Town of Ware ($40,500): The award will be used to develop a comprehensive safety action plan. 

Town of Weymouth ($336,000): The award will be used to develop a comprehensive safety action plan. 

The Safe Streets and Roads for All Program projects are approved based on including specific timelines and projects for implementation, specific prioritization criteria, and incorporation of the Safe System Approach. 

For more information about the Safe Streets and Roads for All Program, please visit: https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A.