Safe Streets Ahead: ECI Regional Planning District’s SS4A Initiative for Local Counties

 

The ECI Regional Planning District has been awarded $400,000 through the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program, benefiting Delaware, Grant, Blackford, and Jay Counties. Notably, 47% of these funds are designated for disadvantaged communities. This program, initiated under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, allocates $5 billion from 2022-2026 to improve road safety for regional, local, and Tribal areas. 

From 2017-2021, these counties recorded 166 traffic crash fatalities. The Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant aims to achieve zero roadway deaths through a Safe System Approach, as endorsed by the US Department of Transportation. This approach focuses on preventing crash fatalities and minimizing serious injuries by accounting for human error and emphasizing proactive safety measures.

The program underscores shared responsibility among government entities, advocacy groups, researchers, and the public to prevent roadway deaths and injuries. It addresses all aspects of the transportation system to ensure that if one part fails, other measures will mitigate the consequences. The USDOT’s commitment to safer drivers, roads, vehicles, speeds, and post-crash care is central to achieving zero roadway deaths in the near future.

The team of staff members working on the SS4A grant includes: 

Bill Walters – Executive Director of the ECI Regional Planning District 

Trent McKenzie- Community Development Planner
Hugh Smith- Project Manager

Sajjad Nasire- Community Development Intern

Adrienne Baker- Metropolitan Planning Office

Kylene Swackhammer- Metropolitan Planning Office