Posting Language
Title
Approve a resolution in support and concurrence of Travis County’s grant application to the United States Department of Transportation for the Fiscal Year 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary grant program for road safety improvement projects; and authorizing the submittal of City of Austin projects, as a partner applicant, for funding to improve road intersection safety investments in post-crash care and emergency medical response systems. Funding: If successful and the grant application and funds are awarded, staff will return to Council to seek authorization to accept and appropriate funding as a grant subrecipient and identify the funding source.
De
Lead Department
Austin Transportation and Public Works
Fiscal Note
Funding: If successful and the grant application and funds are awarded, staff will return to Council to seek authorization to accept and appropriate funding as a grant subrecipient and identify the funding source. This item has no fiscal impact.
Prior Council Action:
July 28, 2022 - Resolution No. 20220728-086, authorizing the City Manager to submit a grant application for an Implementation Grant for the Fiscal Year 2022 Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary grant program was approved on a 10-0 vote with Council Member Fuentes off the dais.
June 1, 2023 - Resolution No. 20230601-042, authorizing the submittal of an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Fiscal Year 2023 Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary grant program for an implementation grant to improve road safety was approved on a 10-0 vote with Council Member Harper Madison off the dais.
May 5, 2024 - Resolution No. 20240502-059, to authorize 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 was approved on an 11-0 vote.
June 5, 2025 - Resolution No. 20250605-074, to authorize the submittal of an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Fiscal Year 2025 Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary grant program for an implementation grant to improve road safety was approved on an 11-0 vote.
For More Information:
Richard Mendoza, Director, 512-974-2488; Robert Luckritz, EMS Chief, 512-972-7203; Wesley Hopkins, EMS Chief of Staff; 512-972-7201; Joel Meyer, Transportation Safety Officer, 512-974-1405; Gilda Powers, Quality Consultant, 512-974-7092.
Additional Backup Information:
The City adopted a Vision Zero policy goal in 2015 and reaffirmed its support of achieving zero traffic related fatalities and serious injuries through the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan, first adopted in March 2019. Austin has made significant progress through targeted initiatives based on a best-in-class, data-informed program using the funding supported by the community through multiple bond programs to address safety and mobility improvements citywide. Analysis of work performed at specific locations to date reflects positive early results; however, safety needs far exceed available capital funds at this time.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) established the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) competitive grant program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over 5 years, 2022-2026. The City of Austin received SS4A awards for Fiscal Year 2022 in the amount of $22.9 million, for Fiscal Year 2023 in the amount of $288,000, and for Fiscal Year 2024 in the amount of $10.5 million. Fiscal Year 2026 represents the last currently-funded opportunity to secure an SS4A grant.
The City proposes to partner with Travis County for a Fiscal Year 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) application. Travis County will assume the role of lead applicant while the City will submit projects as a partner and concur with the submission of one or more Travis County projects in full purpose jurisdiction. Travis County is advancing an SS4A implementation application to fund safety improvements identified in the County's Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan, adopted in June 2025. The City will seek implementation funding for targeted investments in post-crash care and emergency medical response systems and to complete major intersections safety projects at two locations.
Austin Travis County EMS’ (ATCEMS) Office of the Austin Chief Medical Officer (ACMO) proposes up to $5 million in funding to reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries through targeted investments in post-crash care and emergency medical response systems. The project focuses on improving survivability following severe crashes, a critical and under-addressed component of roadway safety, centering on deployment of additional EMS physicians, expanding prehospital trauma capabilities, and targeted interventions across Austin’s High-Injury Network. This initiative aligns with SS4A’s goal of preventing fatalities through public safety infrastructure and evidence-based strategies, particularly in post-crash care systems.
Austin Transportation and Public Works proposes up to $5 million in federal funding for intersection safety projects at Howard Lane and Dessau Road and East US 290 Service Road and Cameron Road, two high injury intersections on the City’s High Injury Network. TPW has completed High Crash Intersection studies for the sites, which provide an analysis of crash data, near miss data, field observations, and cost-benefit calculations using Crash Modification Factors. If funds are awarded, this analysis will inform safety improvements for these key locations. Other major intersection safety projects funded by the City's Vision Zero program have seen a 38% reduction in serious injuries and fatalities.
If successful and the grant application and funds are awarded, staff will return to Council to seek authorization to enter into an interlocal agreement with Travis County, accept the grant funds and identify the funding sources for the required 20% match.