Puget Sound Regional Council Receives $4.9 Million Federal Grant to Work Toward Reaching Zero Road Fatalities by 2030

The US Department of Transportation has announced that Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) will receive nearly $4.9 million through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program. The grant will support development of a Regional Safety Plan and local safety plans for the cities of Burien, Everett, Kent, Redmond, and Tukwila, and Pierce County, Washington. The new funding provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help accelerate the Puget Sound regional goal of reducing roadway fatalities to zero by 2030.

“We look forward to working in close partnership with the cities and county funded by the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant to create regional and local safety plans that move us toward the important goal of reaching zero traffic fatalities by 2030,” said Josh Brown, Executive Director of Puget Sound Regional Council. “We are grateful to Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell, Representative Larsen, Representative Kilmer and Representative Strickland and Transportation Secretary Buttigieg for these critical resources provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will help us advance regional safety goals.”

The funding breakdown is as follows:

PSRC $2,680,000.00
Burien $160,000.00
Everett $788,363.00
Kent $472,000.00
Redmond $160,000.00
Tukwila $200,000.00
Pierce County $400,000.00
Total $ 4,860,363.00

 
What Regional Leaders are saying:

King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci:
“This grant, provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, gives the Puget Sound region critical resources to advance a Safe System Approach regionwide. This approach is a proven way to turn the tide of preventable serious injuries and deaths on our roadways. Working with our regional partners, we can prevent crashes and minimize the harm when crashes unfortunately do occur, making our regional transportation system safer for everyone who drives, rides, walks, bikes and rolls.”

Senator Patty Murray
“However you’re getting to your destination, whether by foot, bike, or wheelchair, our streets need to be safe for everyone,” said Senator Murray (D-WA). “Public safety cannot be an afterthought in urban planning. This is a fixable problem, and that is why I fought so hard when we were passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and writing our appropriations bills, to secure funding for the SS4A program. This funding will help save lives and build safer communities in every part of Washington state.”

Representative Rick Larsen
“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Northwest Washington communities have the resources needed to develop comprehensive action plans to expand safe and reliable transportation options for all people,” said U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), the lead Democrat on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. “I look forward to continued partnership with the Puget Sound Regional Council, local communities, regional stakeholders and Tribes to identify and invest in projects that keep people and the economy moving and improve safety outcomes and accessibility for all travelers.”

Representative Derek Kilmer
“All folks deserve to feel safe on our roads,” said Rep. Kilmer. “I’m thrilled to see the impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in our neck of the woods and pleased to be a partner in this work, which will lead to safer outcomes for drivers, passengers, and all other road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.”
 
Representative Marilyn Strickland
“This federal funding from the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will help improve pedestrian and street safety across the South Sound,” said Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10). 
 
About the Program
The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.

The following activities are eligible for the SS4A program:

  • Develop or update a comprehensive safety action plan (Action Plan).
  • Conduct planning, design, and development activities in support of an Action Plan.
  • Carry out projects and strategies identified in an Action Plan. 

Click here for more information about the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program.