Three communities in Snohomish County are set to receive a combined $3.3 million grant to enhance road safety and reduce traffic-related fatalities, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell's office announced. The cities of Everett, Mill Creek, and Mukilteo have been selected for these grants, which are funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program. This round of funding builds upon the $88.8 million already allocated to Washington state for transportation safety enhancements.
The City of Everett will use its $1,200,000 grant to enact several safety initiatives, including updating its Active Transportation Plan and developing an Evergreen Way corridor safety plan. A part of this fund is also earmarked to pilot Intelligent Transportation Systems that utilize AI for traffic signal performance measures. The goal is to eventually roll out citywide ITS upgrades to improve traffic flow and safety.
With the $1,800,000 awarded to Mill Creek, the city plans to prioritize safety for pedestrians and cyclists through quick-build protected bike lanes and enhanced crossings. The funding will also support a corridor study, Safe Routes to School plans, and other significant safety assessments like citywide lighting. A crucial part of the project involves an education and enforcement campaign to bolster the public's adherence to safety regulations.
Mukilteo's grant of $300,000 will facilitate the development of a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan designed to mitigate the number of serious accidents for bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists. According to the senator's office, "Deliverables include crash and high-injury network analysis, public engagement, prioritized Proven Safety Countermeasures, cost and implementation phasing, and an adoption-ready Action Plan."
Senator Cantwell has been instrumental in the implementation of the Safe Streets and Roads For All program, ensuring its inclusion in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has since underwritten over 1,600 transportation projects in Washington state. These initiatives, particularly in Snohomish County, arrive as a response to the rising number of pedestrian fatalities and aim to promote safer, more navigable streets for all. As communities continue to grow, the emphasis on such investments becomes only more imperative, ensuring a foundation for safe and equitable transportation infrastructure for years to come.
