Sewell announces $145,200 for roadway and rail safety in York

On Monday, Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL07) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $145,200 to the City of York, Alabama. Funding comes from DOT's Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program and will be used for a demonstration program to improve roadway and rail safety.

"Once again, the Biden-Harris Administration is delivering for communities in Alabama," said Rep. Sewell. "With this grant funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the City of York will be able to test the effectiveness of new strategies to make our roadways and railways safer. It is our hope that this demonstration funding will lead to an implementation grant so that we can continue to make steps toward improving roadway and rail safety in York, Alabama."

"We are happy to see our efforts advocating on behalf of the citizens of York are paying off," said York Mayor Willie Lake. "We are so grateful to Secretary Pete Buttigieg of the U.S. Department of Transportation and Congresswoman Sewell for the award of $145,000 to the City of York made possible through the Safe Streets for All grant program. Funds will be used to address the ongoing rail blockages, lighting in downtown, and sidewalks to create a more walkable community for our residents."

This award will be used by the City of York to develop a comprehensive safety action plan including identifying the city's most significant roadway safety concerns as well as projects and strategies to address roadway safety issues. If these temporary demonstration activities are successful, the city could become eligible for an implementation grant.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over 5 years, 2022-2026. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. Over $3 billion is still available for future funding rounds.

The SS4A program supports the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Roadway Safety Strategy and their goal of zero roadway deaths using a Safe System Approach.

Combining the FY22 and FY23 awards, SS4A has provided $1.7 billion in Federal funding to over 1,000 communities in all 50 States and Puerto Rico. It is hoped that SS4A funding awarded to date will improve roadway safety planning for about 70 percent of the nation's population.

To learn more information DOT's SS4A grant program:

https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A

Terri Sewell represents Alabama's Seventh Congressional District.