Arkansas Receives Over Million in Federal Funding for Road Safety Enhancement
The city of Little Rock has been awarded million from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to implement the Little Rock Safe Streets for All initiative. The primary goal of this project is to enhance roadway conditions by introducing safety features like bike lanes, roundabouts, and improved lighting. This endeavor is part of a broader effort to reduce road-related fatalities nationwide.
The Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program, established by President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, allocates billion in funding to support safety improvements on both rural and urban roads across the United States. Arkansas as a whole will receive more than million in federal funding, with smaller allocations going to various projects in cities and counties such as Springdale, where the Dean Trail Phase III B project will finalize the Dean’s Trail, providing a separate route for pedestrians and cyclists.
Additionally, USDOT officials announced that over million would be allocated for seven safety planning and demonstration initiatives throughout Arkansas. A comprehensive list of funded projects can be found on Transportation.gov. These initiatives aim to improve the state’s road safety, which has historically been among the least favorable in the nation, with Little Rock ranking as the 10th most dangerous metropolitan area in the U.S. in terms of pedestrian deaths.
Key Projects and Allocations
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Little Rock: million for the Little Rock Safe Streets for All project, focusing on major corridors.
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Springdale: ,187,280 for the Dean Trail Phase IIIB project to complete Dean’s Trail.
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Other safety planning and demonstration projects statewide: ,000,000
Today’s Roadway Safety Grants
These grants are pivotal in the ongoing mission to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries. As U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg noted, “Today’s roadway safety grants will channel resources directly to 354 communities, furthering our mission to minimize traffic deaths to an acceptable target: zero.”
Pedestrian Safety Strategies
Little Rock’s safety plan, developed in collaboration with Metroplan, targets specific routes experiencing high fatality rates, including University Avenue and John Barrow Road. Residents such as Jerome Butler, who has voiced concerns about crossing at Woodrow and 12th streets, should see improvements in the future.
Overall Impact
The Safe Streets and Roads for All program has funded projects in over 1,400 communities, supporting roadway safety for nearly 75% of the U.S. population. Arkansas is set to see significant enhancements to its road safety infrastructure, an effort poised to save lives and reduce accident rates in the years to come.