PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced that nearly $18 million in additional 2023 grant funding is being awarded to 11 communities and two planning agencies as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's(USDOT) Safe Streets?and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program. 

 

Pittsfield was awarded $310,000 and the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission was awarded $198,593.

 

"Massachusetts residents shouldn't have to worry about their safety when they simply need to cross the street," said Senator Markey. "Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this funding will make sure the roads we drive, walk, and bike on are safe for families across our Commonwealth. From Boston to the Berkshires, we must continue to fight for a transportation system that brings our roadway accidents down to zero."

 

The Program was established through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law?and includes approximately $5 billion in appropriated funds to be awarded over the next five years. The additional grant awards will be going to planning and infrastructure initiatives to improve road safety in a number of locations, including over $14 million for the City of Boston.  

 

"We continue to be grateful to the U.S. Department of Transportation and our congressional delegation for their support through Safe Streets and Roads grant funding awards like these," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt.? "MassDOT will continue to partner with communities throughout the Commonwealth support projects and programs for these grants. We are particularly proud that these awards align so well with MassDOT's multimodal safety and travel goals." 

 

The SS4A program funding awards can be used to improve roadway safety by supporting communities in developing comprehensive safety action plans based on a Safe Systems Approach, conduct data analyses, and implement projects and strategies that seek to significantly reduce or eliminate transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries involving pedestrians, bicyclists, micromobility users, motorists, public transportation customers, users of personal conveyance, and commercial vehicle operators. ?Additionally, awarded funding can also be used to support robust stakeholder engagement to ensure that all community members have a voice in developing plans, projects, and strategies. 

 

"The Safe Streets and Roads for All program is critical for improving road safety across the state, ensuring that pedestrians, cyclists and drivers can safely get where they need to go through the mode of their choice," said Governor Maura Healey. "We're grateful to President Biden, Secretary Buttigieg and our incredible Congressional delegation for making these funds available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Healey-Driscoll administration is committed to competing for federal funding to support the infrastructure needs of our cities and towns."