USDOT releases grant notification for $5 billion Safe Streets for All Program

Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) released its Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the newly created Safe Streets and Roads for All Program, a $5 billion grant program focused on local vision zero projects which was created in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The grant is funded at $1 billion annually through Fiscal Year 2026.

The grant program is focused on assisting local and regional governments in achieving their vision zero goals and strategies. Eligible grant recipients include cities, towns and townships, counties, metropolitan planning organizations, some transit authorities, tribes and groupings of these units of governments (for example, multiple cities can join together for a project). State governments are ineligible to receive this grant.

Local governments must have a comprehensive safety action plan in order to receive funding for projects. However, funding is available from the grant for the creation of the action plans if one does not currently exist. For all grant awards, there is an 80%/20% federal/local match required for funding of the projects. Additionally, no more than 15% of the annual grant funding can go to jurisdictions in one particular state.

Once an action plan is created and fits the requirements of the grant, implementation grants can be awarded. According to USDOT, some examples of eligible projects include:

• Rumble strips
• Wider edge lines
• High friction surface treatments
• Sign installation
• Pedestrian crosswalk improvements
• Signal improvements
• Bicycle lanes
• Safe routes to school projects
• Traffic calming countermeasures
• Vulnerable road user protection projects
• Advanced transportation technologies
• Enhanced delineation
• Roadside safety improvements
• Intersection safety

ATSSA strongly encourages ATSSA members to work with their local and municipal government partners to educate and encourage applications for this roadway safety grant.