Dallas streets are set to get safer with a hefty federal grant aimed at putting the brakes on road fatalities. The U.S. Department of Transportation has earmarked a whopping $21.8 million for roadway safety enhancements along MLK/Cedar Crest Boulevard. This financial boost is expected to drastically reduce the alarming number of deaths and injuries that have plagued the area.
City Councilmember Adam Bazaldua, who represents the district benefiting from the grant, expressed his excitement. "We are so thrilled by the announcement of this grant for the City of Dallas and specifically the southern Dallas community – enormous thanks to our Congressional leadership as well as our partnering agencies for their efforts," Bazaldua said in a statement. He added that this investment marks a significant step towards enhanced safety and community growth, including ambitions for a new streetcar, according to the City of Dallas.
Dallas has signed on to the Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities, and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard has been a focal concern due to its high rate of severe pedestrian incidents. The past two years have seen five pedestrians suffer severe injuries in this area alone.
The funding will enable a series of safety improvements to help curb the high crash rates. Motorists and pedestrians can anticipate the implementation of safety treatments like reduced lanes with separated bike lanes, which are designed to lower speeds, along with better crosswalks and traffic signal enhancements. Upgraded lighting and improved access to transit are also on the cards for those who are eager to get started on this transformational project for a historically underserved neighborhood.
Securing these critical funds was a concerted effort, requiring the support of various partners, including the North Central Texas Council of Governments, St. Phillips School and Community Center, the Real Estate Council, DART, and the Federal Highway Administration. Alongside the federal grant, the city has pledged $5.25 million in matching funds, and DART is throwing in another $200,000 for bus shelter upgrades.
"The City of Dallas is grateful to our partners for their initial work to secure these funds," said Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax. "It’s a great day for mobility and safety improvements for the pedestrians of Dallas, and we look forward to getting this project underway," Broadnax stated, per the City of Dallas.
