Jacksonville is set to undertake a series of roadway safety projects, thanks to a generous grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The City of Jacksonville has been awarded a little over $1 million from the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary grant program, which is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). This program strives to help cities plan, demonstrate, and construct transportation projects with the goal of eliminating deaths and serious injuries on the road.
This funding will allow for 'quick-build' safety projects, enabling Jacksonville residents to test out safer street designs on a temporary basis. If they're found to be effective and are well-received by the community, these temporary installations could become permanent fixtures on Jacksonville's streets. These projects are seen as cost-effective methods to introduce immediate improvements for pedestrian and bicyclist safety, such as enhanced intersection crossings, and to create several miles of temporary bike lanes shielded by curbing or bollards. The overall goal is connecting the City ofJacksonville’s residents more safely to schools, jobs, and essential services.
Dubbed the City of Jacksonville Vision Zero Quick Build Projects: Safer Streets for All Jaxons!, the initiative slots neatly into the city’s bigger plan to cut roadway accidents and fatalities down to zero. As reported by the City of Jacksonville's official website, these efforts are being coordinated through the city's first Vision Zero Action Plan, which is expected to be finished in early 2025. Community feedback will play a crucial role in shaping the Vision Zero Action Plan and determining which specific demonstration projects to go forward with.
Once the Vision Zero Action Plan is in place, the follow-up action will be quick. Jacksonville promises to swiftly transition from planning to constructing the selected safety improvements. This approach ensures that the real-world performance of these designs drives the decision to make them a lasting part of the City of Jacksonville infrastructure, reinforcing the commitment to a safer Jacksonville for not just drivers, but all Jaxons who share the roads.
