TAMPA, Fla. — Thanks to a pair of federal grants, new road projects are underway in Tampa and other parts of Hillsborough County to help make streets safer for drivers and pedestrians.

What You Need To Know

  • The city of Tampa received $20 million in federal grant money for road safety, while Hillsborough County received $19.7 million

  • The Safe Streets and Roads For All grant is a new one paid by the federal infrastructure bill

  • The grant money will go to what the city calls low-cost, high-impact projects to improve safety and reduce traffic fatalities

They’re being paid for by the Safe Streets and Roads for All program — a $5 billion program included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that aims to help prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.

The city of Tampa was awarded $20 million, while Hillsborough County will received $19.7 million. 

“This is really a culminating moment in us getting a big milestone under our belts,” said Alana Brasier, chief planner for Tampa’s Mobility Department. “And getting the funding that we really need to make a dent in our fatalities and injuries.”

Brasier attended an announcement of the grant this week by Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor.

She helped the city apply for the grant, using crash and traffic data to determine exactly how and where the money would be used.

“It’s kind of bittersweet," Brasier said. "It’s like we’re celebrating this momentous occasion, but we also have a lot of work to do to save lives."

She said the grant money will go to what the city calls low-cost, high-impact projects, like work currently underway on Main Street between MacDill and Armenia avenues to add parking, new roadway lines and a crosswalk. Brasier said similar projects are underway in other locations as well.

Program advocates say even small projects can go a long way to improve safety.

“They may seem like small tweaks, but they make such a big difference when it comes to speed and the way cars are using an area,” said Sidewalk Stompers president Emily Hinsdale. “And that helps children walking and biking to use the area.”

According to its website, Hinsdale's organization is working to "improve student health and safety by increasing the number of student pedestrians through school-based incentive programs, community building, and road safety advocacy."

Spectrum News also interviewed U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg, who said Tampa was chosen because of its data-driven plans already in place to make the roads safer.

“This program is tailored to local needs,” Trottenberg said. “There’s no question. You have a lot of local needs in Hillsborough County and Tampa to make roads safer. That’s why we’re excited the county and city put in such a strong application. We’re going to have a chance to work closely with you on the ground.”

According to information from the Department of Transportation, 294 people died on Tampa roads between 2016-2020 — an average of 58.8 per year.

Officials say funding has long been a roadblock for projects to reduce fatalities, but now the city can move forward with them.

“Every city in the country was trying to get these funds," Brasier said. "So it’s really a testament to our program and what we’ve built."

Many of the projects will be done over the next few months.

For more information on these projects, visit the city of Tampa's website.