Rep. Neguse Announces Significant Funding from Infrastructure Law to Create Safer Roadways in Colorado Communities

February 15, 2023

Lafayette, CO — Today, Congressman Joe Neguse announced over $900,000 in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is headed to communities across Colorado to help create safer roadways and prevent traffic related deaths and serious injuries. The funding is part of the Safe Streets For All (SS4A) discretionary program enacted through the Infrastructure Law, which aims to support Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg's National Roadway Safety Strategy and the Department's goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on our nation's roadways.

Of the $913,600 in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law:

$ 473,600 for the Boulder County Vision Zero Action Plan
$ 240,000 for Larimer County
$ 200,000 for the Town of Silverthorne

“These critical resources, which we secured as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help us tackle recent increases in accident rates, and work to create safer communities for all Coloradans,” said Congressman Joe Neguse. “I’m excited to announce this first round of funding coming to our communities and look forward to seeing the real results these programs will deliver.”

“With traffic fatalities in Boulder County trending in the wrong direction, we are very excited about the safety work that this funding is going to make possible,” said Alex Hyde-Wright, Boulder County Regional Multimodal Planning Division Manager.

“Safety of the traveling public is one of Larimer County’s highest priorities. We have been tracking and analyzing crashes for many years and use these data to guide our local roadway safety improvement projects. This Safe Systems for All grant will allow us to take our efforts to the next level and develop additional strategies and a more comprehensive roadway safety action plan for our County. We are very excited and grateful to receive this grant award, created under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” said Larimer County Commissioner, Chair Jody Shadduck-McNally.

“The Town of Silverthorne is grateful for the recent award of $200,000 from the U.S. Dept of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant. These funds will be used to develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan to develop the streets and crosswalks of Silverthorne in a way that is as safe as possible for our drivers and pedestrians. The Plan will build off an on-going CDOT regional study to improve traffic operations on the US6/SH9 Corridor and exit 205 Interchange,” said Silverthorne Mayor Ann-Marie Sandquist.

Learn more about the National Roadway Safety Strategy HERE.

Recent studies show that traffic related fatalities in Colorado are at a high. The Colorado Department of Transportation announced that in 2022, Colorado lost 745 lives to traffic fatalities, the most roadway deaths in the state since 1981. This is a 57% increase from just 10 years ago and includes a record number of pedestrians and motorcyclists. The SS4A initiatives work to reduce traffic related deaths and serious injuries by carrying out numerous projects and strategies, including:

Implementing improvements along an expanded multimodal network of reconfigured roads with separated bicycle lanes and improved safety features for pedestrian crossings.
Applying low-cost safety treatments such as rumble strips, wider edge lines, flashing beacons, and better signage along high-crash rural corridors.
Conducting speed management projects such as implementing traffic calming road design changes and setting appropriate speed limits for all road users.
Installing safety enhancements such as safer pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, and additional lighting for people walking, rolling, or using mobility assistive devices.
Addressing alcohol-impaired driving along key corridors through education, outreach, and publicized sobriety checkpoints on weekends and holidays.
Making street design changes informed by culturally competent education and community outreach.
Creating safe routes to school and public transit services through multiple activities that lead to people safely walking, biking, and rolling in underserved communities.

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