The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) has received a $4 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to develop and implement new road safety initiatives. The funding is part of a broader effort to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries in the region, particularly among pedestrians and cyclists. The grant will support the creation of "Safety Action Plans" in collaboration with various local agencies and cities.
The Houston-Galveston Area Council has received a $4 million federal grant to create and execute comprehensive plans designed to reduce the high incidence of traffic fatalities and serious injuries throughout the region. The U.S. Department of Transportation has allocated funds through its Safe Streets for All program, a new initiative created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law aimed at eliminating roadway deaths and serious injuries.
Allie Isbell, H-GAC’s assistant director of transportation, stated that the grant will be utilized to develop "Safety Action Plans" aimed at examining the transportation network for all users, encompassing drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. “Frequently, our crashes are not only common but also quite severe,” Isbell stated. "Over the past five years, almost one in six deaths has involved bicyclists or pedestrians."
The grant will facilitate the creation of a regional plan along with multiple local plans for 11 jurisdictions. H-GAC will collaborate with several important partners, including Waller County, the Gulf Coast Rail District, and cities such as Conroe, Friendswood, La Marque, League City, Missouri City, Pearland, Sugar Land, and Galveston. The partnership will enable a thorough, evidence-based strategy for safety that pinpoints high-risk zones and emphasizes necessary enhancements.
The East End District is also poised to receive a distinct grant of $603,000 for a focused safety study in its neighborhoods, which encompass Second Ward, Magnolia Park, and Eastwood, alongside the H-GAC award. This initiative will focus on how residents utilize local streets and transit, while also addressing safety concerns associated with railroads and the METROrail. The city of Houston has obtained a distinct $30 million grant aimed at implementing safety improvements along the Bissonnet Corridor, which is recognized as a high-risk area for accidents.
The grants highlight a strong dedication to safety planning in the Houston-Galveston area, with local officials stressing that the new initiatives will establish a foundation for a safer future on the roads. The Safety Action Plans will allow local governments to seek additional implementation grants to finance the infrastructure projects outlined in their studies.
