Adam RollinsThis story was originally published in the Government Contracting Pipeline newsletter from Strategic Partnerships, Inc. To have the latest government contracting news stories from across the country delivered straight to your inbox, click here to subscribe.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) will distribute $39.1 million to Tennessee to mitigate dangers along high-injury corridors and roadways across three cities. The state will use the funds to build safe pathways for pedestrians, update old street markings and improve intersections.
The city of Knoxville will invest $17.8 million to support and implement SAFER Knoxville 2.0. The project will make changes to US 441 to make it safer for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists. As a result of the current design, drivers are prone to driving at higher speeds and failing to yield to pedestrians. The funds will go toward the project’s total cost of $22.3 million.
The project will build a sidewalk or shared-use path along the side of the highway, install pedestrian signals at intersections and build a landscaped median down the center of the roadway. In addition, the city will conduct roadway safety audits at high-injury locations, create a lighting plan and institute a city-wide Safe Routes to School plan.
USDOT will provide $13.2 million to help Memphis reduce injuries and deaths at the most dangerous six-way intersection in the city. The intersection currently has faded and outdated pedestrian connectivity, poor movement guidance and confusing signals. The funds will go toward the project’s total $16.5 million cost.
As part of the project, Memphis will close one of the three intersecting roads permanently to simplify intersection geometry and operations. The city will install a traffic signal and pedestrian facilities in its place to better connect residents with a nearby park. Plans include developing a public education campaign for schools, implementing a near-mis camera pilot program, leveraging crash data analysis technology and deploying quick-build projects.
The city of Clarksville will receive $8.1 million to implement Safety Action Plan measures along four roadways. The $10.1 million project will improve intersections, install sidewalks, improve traffic signals and build pedestrian facilities. The completed project will better protect the local underserved community.
USDOT allocated the funds through the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant program. The SS4A program is a five-year, $5 billion initiative that helps local, rural and tribal communities remediate some of the most dangerous roads in the country to prevent deaths and serious injuries.
The Tennessee projects are a selection of the 453 projects that will receive a share of the recently announced $1.1 billion. This is the second round of SS4A funding for Fiscal Year 2024, with the first round releasing $63 million in May. Since 2023, the program has allocated $2.7 billion from the available $5 billion. USDOT expects to open the third and final round of Fiscal Year 2024 awards in November.
Photo courtesy AppalachianCentrist
