$2.6M Federal Grant To Focus On Making Tampa Roads Safer

TAMPA, FL — The city of Tampa has received $2.6 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets for All grant program to create safer roads and address gaps in transportation infrastructure.

In collaboration with the Center for Urban Transportation Research, speed mitigation devices will be implemented in four corridors of underserved areas of our city:

• Rowlett Park Drive
• Palm Avenue
• East Sligh Avenue
• North 34th Street

With a mission to build safer streets safer for everyone, regardless of the mode of travel, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said she's excited to receive the grant that will create safer conditions for all those traveling along Tampa's priority corridors.

Funded through USDOT's Safe Streets and Roads for All program, the city of Tampa will work with the University of South Florida's Center for Urban Transportation Research to implement speed mitigation treatments along the selected roadways in underserved areas of the city.

The federal Justice 40 initiative has helped increase funding resources for these areas to help address gaps in transportation infrastructure.

Vehicle speed is a fundamental predictor of crash survival, and higher speeds increase the likelihood of a person dying or suffering serious injuries during a crash, said the center.

In Tampa, the number of traffic crashes continues to rise, with 355 people suffering from life-altering injuries and 79 deaths occurring on Tampa streets in 2022. The year before, there were 81 fatalities and 267 life-altering injuries.

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As part of the city’s mobility plan, Tampa M.O.V.E.S. released in 2023, locations where the posted speed exceeds the target speed have been identified and prioritized for speed mitigation efforts, including the four corridors that will receive grant money.

“We understand no loss of life is acceptable, and that’s why I signed the Vision Zero pledge and we developed the city’s first Vision Zero Action Plan," said Castor. "I want to thank President Joe Biden, (U.S. Transportation) Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and our Congresswoman Kathy Castor who are so committed to Tampa and to making Tampa a safer community for our families. They have demonstrated their commitment to this community and this is another big step that will allow us to engage our community to develop our Safe System approach through practical and efficient quick-build projects."

In addition to the $2.6 million grant, the city of Tampa will contribute $650,000 toward the project.

Examples of speed mitigation efforts that may be applied include new striping and signage, speed feedback signs, new pedestrian crossings, and intersection bulb-outs using striping and posts to extend the sidewalk or curb line.

“Thanks to the federal infrastructure law, and the partnership with the city of Tampa and University of South Florida, safer streets are on the way to Tampa Bay," the congresswoman said. "One of the top aims of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed by a Democratic-led Congress is to make streets safer and connect neighborhoods. Historic Ybor City, East Ybor, Sulphur Springs and East Tampa will directly benefit, and I salute Mayor Castor, USF and neighborhood advocates who developed the Vision Zero plan to lift our neighborhoods. The Tampa Bay area is on the move, and together we are building a safer and healthier community for all."