The City of Springfield and the City of Boston were the only two communities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts selected for an Implementation Grant as part of the annual $1 billion program, part of the Federal Government’s Infrastructure Bill.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the new Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over the next 5 years. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. The SS4A program supports Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg’s National Roadway Safety Strategy and the Department’s goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on our nation’s roadways.
The City of Springfield developed the application package in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), who assisted with the identification of corridors and intersections within the City that have had persistent issues in regards to driver, pedestrian and bicycle safety over the past 4-5 years. As part of this specific award, the City will be addressing safety issues at 15 intersections and 10 corridors throughout the City.
Mayor Sarno states, “I want to thank the Biden-Harris Administration and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg’s for supporting this important and lifesaving initiative. I also want to thank Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey for their efforts in securing this funding. Senator Markey’s Chief of Staff, Jim Cantwell had reached out to me Monday evening to share the good news. Special thanks to Congressman Ricard Neal for his continued leadership on this Bipartisan Infrastructure legislation on behalf of the city of Springfield and our Commonwealth. Congressman Neal, who once a mayor always the heart of a mayor, is always advocating for our local communities, especially for Springfield.”
“This vital federal funding for safe streets and roads is part of my administrations Citywide Safety Action Plan that was developed last year and builds upon our continued efforts to enhance public safety for vehicles, pedestrian traffic and beyond,” Mayor Sarno added. “I want to also thank DPW Director Chris Cignoli and his dedicated staff, and MassDOT Secretary Jamey Tesler and Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver for their continued efforts working to help keep our roadways and public infrastructure safe for all.”
Director Cignoli stated “this is an enormous victory for the City, given the safety issues that we have been dealing with over the recent past. The types of projects we envision are usually financially not attainable as smaller scale projects, that do not involve full reconstruction, are usually not eligible for funding. These projects will allow us to address the safety concerns throughout the city.”
Cignoli continued, “I really need to extend my thanks to the MassDOT team (Mike Trepanier, Bonnie Polin, Kayla Souse and Neil Boudreau) and their consultants, Kittleson & Associates, (Meredyth Sanders) and my Engineering Department staff for their hard work in getting this application completed. Without their help and guidance, we would not have been awarded this grant.”
In general, the type of improvements that are being considered include:
• Intersection Treatments
• Pedestrian/Bicycle Crossing Enhancements and ADA Accessibility Improvements
• Speed Management Treatments
• Roadway Treatments – Line Painting, Signage, etc.
• Protected Crosswalks
• Speed Management Treatments
• Reduce lane widths along six corridors
• Pedestrian Enhancements and ADA Accessibility Improvement
• School Zone Treatments
• Corridor Access Management
The funding provided to the city will be presented to the City Council for acceptance and the Department of Public Works will immediately begin design, with construction of certain improvements being implemented starting later this year and rolling into 2024.
A full listing of all Implementation and Action Plan Grant Awards can be found at: SS4A 2022 Awards | US Department of Transportation