Competitive Grants - Safe Streets Near Northside & International Districts

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established the new Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary program, with $5 billion in appropriated funds over 5 years, 2022-2026.

The SS4A program provides funding for two types of grants:

• Planning and Demonstration Grants provide Federal funds to develop, complete, or supplement a comprehensive safety action plan.
• Implementation Grants provide Federal funds to implement projects and strategies identified in an Action Plan to address a roadway safety problem. Projects and strategies can be infrastructure, behavioral, and/or operational activities.

On Dec. 13, 2023, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced $817 million in grant awards for 385 communities through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program. An Implementation Grant for $10,143,000 was awarded to Greater Northside and International District Safe Streets Project.

The Greater Northside and International Districts represent a diverse mix of nationalities and advocate for infrastructure investments that support the many ways their community members commute from place to place within the districts and across Houston.

This project will continue the priority actions identified in the Vison Zero Action Plan and to create a safer environment for all users by implementing low-cost, high-impact strategies to improve safety, correct common risks, and close network gaps in several vulnerable areas of Houston. Proposed improvements will promote safety to prevent death and serious injuries, including installing new or upgrading existing sidewalks and ramps, and upgrading traffic signals, as well as proven countermeasures such as pedestrian traffic signals, high visibility crosswalks, upgrading pavement markings, and implementing traffic calming road design changes.

Multiple improvements are coming across Airline Drive, Bissonnet Street, Jensen Drive, and Tidwell Road, including installation of rectangular rapid-flashing beacons and construction of new sidewalks to complete the sidewalk network along the project area.

Other key elements include pedestrian refuge islands, hybrid beacons, wider sidewalks, multiuse paths, improved bus stop accessibility, and improved street lighting. The project corridors had a total of 1,025 crashes resulting in 13 pedestrians killed or severely injured, and 2 severely injured cyclists between 2017 and 2021. The improvements will connect residents and visitors to local destinations, including a local farmer’s market.

Other Texas City Awards:
Nationwide 48 projects were chosen for construction projects, including three in Texas.

• $21.8 million for the City of Dallas MLK Jr./Cedar Crest Blvd. Complete Street & Safety Upgrades
• $9.9 million for the City of El Paso will receive $9.9 million for intersection improvements along what is the second-deadliest stretch for cyclists in the area

Supporting Document:

•   Greater Northside and International Districts Application

Related Links:

•  SS4A Awards – FY 2023 Implementation Grants:
  U.S. Dept. of Transportation - 12.13.2023
•  Four Houston streets share $10.1M grant for flashing beacons, sidewalks aimed at pedestrian safety
  Houston Chronicle - 12.13.2023
•  Biden-Harris Administration Investing in Hundreds of American Communities to Improve Safety and Prevent Roadway Deaths
  U.S. Dept. of Transportation - 12.13.2023

Supporting Links:

•   Infrastructure Intro Page
•   Competitive Grants Intro Page
•   RAISE Grants
•   Safe Streets and Roads for All - Bissonnet
•   Safe Streets for All Near Northside & International Districts
•   Reconnecting Communities & Neighborhoods
•   No-Low Emissions Grant
•   Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program
•   Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)