The City of Tacoma just bagged a cool $1.3 million in federal dough for a deep dive into Interstate 5's impact on local movement. The U.S. Department of Transportation's pilot and discretionary grant programs coughed up the cash to tackle the freeway's divisive presence in Tacoma, where it's been a thorn in the side of people trying to get around—especially those on foot or two wheels.

With an eye on starting in early 2025, the city plans to get consultants on board for an 18-month game plan that zeros in on a 6.5-mile stretch of the I-5, complete with 14 crossings. The Tacoma I-5 Crossings Study vows to spit out community-blessed solutions to the mess, hopefully making it less of a death wish to bike or hoof it across the '59-built barrier. It's a move that Council Member Kristina Walker is banking on to stitch up the splits in the city, as she told the City of Tacoma's news page, “For too long communities have been physically divided and it has been unsafe to bike or walk between them. We are grateful that the Biden-Harris administration has recognized these disparities and is investing in change. We also applaud and appreciate Representative Derek Kilmer for always fighting for Tacoma. I look forward to seeing the study results and investing in the infrastructure that follows.”

Not only is the study expected to beef up the safety quotient, but it's also a jump toward squaring away some environmental justice. The rub is that I-5 has been a hurdle for folks without wheels, chopping access to key spots like downtown, the port, and healthcare joints. Mayor Victoria Woodards is all in, stating, “Prioritizing the study of these crossings and investing in infrastructure ensures communities are safely connected and supports a more livable and vibrant community.”

Meanwhile, Tacoma ain't sitting on their hands when it comes to transportation equity, pushing for lanes and paths that don't turn a cold shoulder to anyone, regardless of how they roll. The new funds are pegged to pour some much-needed TLC into areas shouldered aside in the past, amping up mobility and binding the community tighter. These bucks are a piece of the puzzle in Tacoma's master transportation plan and its six-year improvement playbook, players in a long game to even out the playing field and put a lid on disparities that have hung heavy over the city's color lines.