Posting Language
Title
Approve a resolution authorizing the submittal of an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Fiscal Year 2024 Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary grant program for an implementation grant to improve road safety.
De
Lead Department
Transportation and Public Works Department.
Fiscal Note
This item has no fiscal impact.
Prior Council Action:
June 1, 2023 - Council approved Resolution No. 20230601-042 authorizing the City Manager to submit an application for an implementation grant for the Fiscal Year 2024 Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary grant program on a 10-0 vote with Council Member Harper-Madison off the dais.
July 28, 2022 - Council approved Resolution No. 20220728-086 authorizing the City Manager to submit an application for an implementation grant for the Fiscal Year 2022 Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary grant program on a 10-0 vote with CM Fuentes off the dais.
For More Information:
Richard Mendoza, Director, 512-974-2488; Anna Martin, Assistant Director, 512-974-7105; Stella Deshotel, Business Process Consultant, 512-974-8054.
Additional Backup Information:
This item is to authorize the Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) to apply for a Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) implementation grant to fund safe pedestrian crossings in strategic locations. The application seeks to leverage federal funds available through the FY 2024 SS4A funding opportunity, which nationally provides a total of $1.26 billion, split into grants for planning and demonstration activities ($656.69 million) and implementation projects ($580 million). TPW proposes an implementation grant of up to $14.5 million, which would require a local match of 20 percent, or $2.9 million.
Funds for the FY 2024 SS4A discretionary grant program will be awarded on a competitive basis to support planning, infrastructure, behavioral, and operational initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets involving all roadway users, including pedestrians; bicyclists; public transportation, personal conveyance, and micro-mobility users; motorists; and commercial vehicle operators. The City of Austin’s FY 2024 application will have an overarching objective of creating safe and frequent road crossings for pedestrians.
With a primary focus on locations on Austin’s High-Injury Network and within Historically Disadvantaged Communities, as defined by the United States Department of Transportation, the implementation grant funds will be used to build between 30 and 50 pedestrian crossings citywide that will achieve stated objectives called for in the SS4A grant program, including: promoting safety, employing low-cost, high-impact strategies that can improve safety over a wide area, ensuring equitable investment in the safety needs of underserved communities, incorporating evidence-based projects and strategies, and aligning with additional priorities such as equity, climate, sustainability, quality job creation, and economic strength and global competitiveness. Pedestrian crossing treatments may include Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons, Accessible Pedestrian Signals, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, and pedestrian crossing islands. Locations will be analyzed to identify high and very high priority gaps in the pedestrian network.
If approved by Council, this would be the City’s third application to the SS4A grant opportunity. The City received an SS4A award for FY 2022 in the amount of $22,866,400 and has executed a grant agreement with the Federal Highway Administration. The City also received an FY 2023 SS4A planning grant for $288,000 for developing ADA transition plans for pedestrian crossings and urban trails.
If the City is successful and grant funds are awarded, matching local funds will be identified from the 2018 and 2020 mobility bond funds, among other potential capital and operating sources.