AASHTO Journal - USDOT Issues $1B in Local Road Safety Funding

In late December 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued nearly $1 billion in funding to improve road safety nationwide.

[Above photo by AASHTO]

The agency said that funding – issued via the Safe Streets and Roads for All or SS4A competitive grant program – will support 521 projects in 48 states and Puerto Rico, along with projects overseen by 19 tribal nations.

USDOT said in a statement that those projects aim to improve intersection safety, build roundabouts, upgrade sidewalks, and strengthen emergency response services – making streets safer in communities across the country.

Most of that funding supports projects overseen by cities, towns, municipalities, and other local government entities.

State departments of transportation are also working with communities in their respective regions to support a variety of local transportation projects.

For example, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is overseeing a $50 million disbursement to 34 municipalities made in mid-December 2025 to pave 217 miles of roads to enhance safety and improve travel.

Launched in 2021, funds for that local initiative come from the Municipal Pavement Program and are available for municipally owned state numbered routes, with an emphasis on National Highway System roadways, the agency said.

“This grant funding will enable our municipal partners to deliver essential upgrades that helps ensure their roads are safe and in a state of good repair, improving quality of life for their residents and businesses,” said Phillip Eng, interim MassDOT secretary and CEO and president of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, in a statement.

“It is a privilege for MassDOT to facilitate the success of cities and towns through programs like the Municipal Pavement Program, which advance everyone’s mission to deliver a well-balanced transportation network across the Commonwealth,” he added.

Meanwhile, the South Dakota Transportation Commission awarded $4 million in economic development grants for infrastructure improvements to counties and smaller communities across South Dakota – funds designated for road improvements leading to schools, main business areas, hospitals, grain elevators, and other economic-based areas within a community.

The grants provide funding for 80 percent of project construction costs to a maximum of $600,000 and have “proven to be a vital part of improving and strengthening our state’s infrastructure,” explained Joel Jundt, secretary of the South Dakota Department of Transportation, in a statement.

“Without the grant funds, many rural communities would not have the financial ability to foster economic development,” he added. “Thankfully, these dollars will help position our local communities for long-term success.”

The Michigan Department of Transportation recently issued funding to 32 highway-railroad grade crossing surface improvement projects overseen by local road commissions – projects that involve anything from minor asphalt repairs to installing completely new track and surface materials.

That Michigan program offers 60 percent funding to local municipalities for eligible projects, with railroads responsible for the remaining 40 percent of costs.

And the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has issued $47 million in grants to fund 54 highway, bridge, bike, and pedestrian projects in 34 counties statewide via its Multimodal Transportation Fund – a program that supports projects overseen by municipalities, councils of governments, businesses, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, and ports and rail freight entities that enhance communities, pedestrian safety, and transit access.