SS4A Program Update: Advancing Safer Streets Across East Central Indiana

On February 19th, 2026, the final Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Steering Committee Meeting was held. The ECI Regional Planning District (ECIRPD) received a $400,000 award through the SS4A Grant Program to support safety planning efforts across Delaware, Grant, Blackford, and Jay Counties, with 47% of the funding specifically dedicated to disadvantaged communities. 

Funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the SS4A initiative provides federal investment from 2022 through 2026 to help communities reduce roadway deaths and serious injuries. Local crash data shows that these four counties experienced 166 traffic fatalities between 2017 and 2021, showing an urgent need for a safety strategy. 

Using this funding, ECIRPD developed a comprehensive Regional Safety Action Plan designed to eliminate roadway fatalities and serious injuries. The planning process was completed in collaboration with the Delaware Muncie Metropolitan Plan Commission (DMMPC) and engineering firm American Structurepoint. The plan will analyze crash data, gather public input, and identify high-risk intersections and corridors. The goal is to prioritize proven safety strategies and recommend infrastructure improvements that position the region for future federal implementation funding. 

At the core of this initiative is the Safe System Approach, supported by the United States Department of Transportation. Unlike traditional models that primarily focused on driver behavior, the Safe System Approach recognizes that human error is inevitable. By emphasizing safer speeds, road design, vehicles, and post-crash response, the approach shifts the focus from reacting to incidents to preventing serious harm in the first place.

Overall, this marks the first coordinated, region-wide safety plan for East Central Indiana. Through collaboration, community engagement, and a shared commitment to reducing fatalities, ECIRPD and its partners are setting the stage for safer transportation systems across the four-county area for everyone. 

To hear more insights from the project manager and facilitator, Matthew Nichols, click here