Natick Gets $35K In Road Safety Grant Program

NATICK, MA — Massachusetts officials have awarded more than $12.4 million in federal traffic safety funding to promote safer roads in communities across the state, including in Natick.

A total of $12,419,715.75 in grant funds were awarded through three grant programs – the Municipal Road Safety Grant Program, State Agency Traffic Safety Grant Program and Underserved Communities Traffic Safety Grant Program, which was introduced for the first time this year, officials said.

Natick was awarded $35,460 through the Municipal Road Safety Grant Program. Officials said the program would help officials enhance traffic enforcement initiatives, pedestrian and bicyclist safety, educational programs, community events and safety equipment distribution.

"Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Office of Grants and Research (OGR) for supporting our mission to make Natick's roads safer for everyone. Together, we can build a safer, stronger community," officials said.

The programs utilize federal funding awarded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The funds are managed and administered in Massachusetts by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR).

“Everyone deserves to be safe on Massachusetts streets, whether traveling by car, foot, public transportation or bike. As individual communities work to address their unique traffic safety concerns, these programs provide resources and supports that will ensure they have the tools they need to protect road users,” said Governor Maura Healey.

The newly created Underserved Communities Traffic Safety Grant Program will deliver over $280,000 to support outreach and educational programs directed toward low-income communities and specifically Environmental Justice Populations, officials said.

This marks the first time that OGR has offered a traffic safety grant program strictly for nonprofit organizations. Funded nonprofits will provide programs focused on improving pedestrian safety, programming for teen drivers, impaired driving prevention, distracted driving awareness and other areas of need.

Funds awarded to municipal police departments through the Municipal Road Safety Grant Program will allow the departments to afford initiatives that include conducting traffic safety enforcement, bicyclist and pedestrian safety enforcement, non-enforcement activities such as trainings or community events, and purchasing traffic safety equipment or safety items to distribute in the community such as bike helmets, officials said.

This year, the OGR awarded $5.6 million to 191 departments, a record number of recipients for the program.