Austin is set to get more than $10.4 million in federal grant money to improve street crossings in the city — including better protections around I-35.
The money is part of $1 billion in grants dispersed to U.S. cities through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the Safe Streets and Roads for All program. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced the awards Thursday.
Austin was awarded a $10,456,068 implementation grant under the Safer Transportation Routes using Inclusive, Demonstrative, and Equitable Solutions program for safer crossings at almost 50 intersections across the city, according to Department of Transportation documents:
The project would implement a variety of Proven Safety Countermeasures and low-cost strategies including a combination of rectangular rapid flashing beacons, pedestrian crossing islands, and curb extensions. The project will address the City’s highest-priority crossing gaps on the high-injury network. In addition, the applicant proposes quick-build solutions to slow vehicle speeds and one significant investment in a critically needed grade-separated crossing of Interstate 35 at a priority location.
Additionally, the applicant includes demonstration projects that will test soft road closures using quick build, cost effective and temporary traffic calming and placemaking methods.Additionally, the applicant includes demonstration projects that will test soft road closures using quick build, cost effective and temporary traffic calming and placemaking methods.
The total jurisdiction population, according to the document, is 1,163,945, with 65 percent in disadvantaged communities. Of the total funding, about $6.8 million will go to crossings in those communities.
Other statistics in the study report 442 traffic crash fatalities in Austin from 2017-2021 and an average annual fatality rate of 7.6 per 100,000 people.
The federal announcement was paired with release of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s early estimates on traffic fatalities for first half of 2024, showing a 3.2 percent decline compared to the same period in 2023.
An August city Transportation and Public Works Department and Vision Zero study found that in June, safety improvements across the city reduced fatal and serious injury crashes by 22 percent, the Austin Monitor reported.
In August, the department found that 100 locations that have received upgrades to opposite-direction left-turn-signal infrastructure, timing, and signage (such as flashing yellow arrows) saw a 47 percent to 72 percent reduction in injury or fatal crashes involving left turns since 2022
