More than $1 billion in federal funding is headed to communities across the country to address roadway safety concerns, from dangerous intersections and railroad crossings to a shortage of truck parking spaces.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced Oct. 30 that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) will distribute $1.01 billion for 297 projects across all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Tribal lands through its Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program.

The projects are intended to reduce traffic crashes, serious injuries and fatalities by addressing safety problems on local roads and highways. Funding will also support emergency response services and improve medical care for people injured in crashes.

One of the largest portions of the investment, $335 million, is dedicated to post-crash care, including expanding access to pre-hospital blood transfusions. The goal is to help emergency responders provide critical treatment before crash victims reach a hospital.

Where the Funding Is Going

The grants cover a wide range of projects, with some communities focusing on pedestrian crossings while others are addressing roadway design, railroad safety and emergency response.

Here are five examples of how the funding will be used:

• Lexington County, South Carolina, will receive $28.7 million to improve safety across four high-injury networks. The work includes highway-rail crossing improvements, roadway upgrades and expanded post-crash care capabilities.
• Williamson County, Texas, will receive $17.5 million to improve pedestrian safety at 53 high-risk crossing locations. The work will cover the county and the cities of Cedar Park, Hutto and Liberty Hill.
• Acworth, Georgia, will receive $13.7 million for improvements along Nance Road, Acworth Summit Boulevard and Acworth Due West Road. Planned upgrades include roundabouts, dedicated turn lanes, updated traffic signals, drainage improvements and pavement work.
• Columbus, Ohio, will receive $3.2 million to establish a regional post-crash care program. The project includes deploying pre-hospital blood transfusion capabilities citywide to help emergency responders treat seriously injured crash victims.
• Fort Collins, Colorado, will receive $5.2 million for safety improvements along a 2.5-mile stretch of Shields Street, expanded post-crash care and a study examining the truck parking shortage along I-25.

The awards also address a challenge that affects commercial drivers nationwide. According to USDOT, 10 of the funded projects will help tackle the shortage of truck parking, giving drivers more options to safely stop and rest.

How the SS4A Grants Work

The funding comes through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program, which was established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

The fiscal year 2026 awards are divided into two categories. Of the 297 grants, 197 are Planning and Demonstration Grants totaling approximately $329.3 million. These grants help communities develop or improve comprehensive safety action plans and test potential solutions.

The remaining 100 are Implementation Grants totaling approximately $683.7 million. This funding supports projects and safety strategies that communities have already identified in their action plans.

The program's reach extends beyond major metropolitan areas. USDOT reports that 52% of the awards will benefit rural communities, with more than $425 million going toward projects in rural and Tribal areas. 

The need for these improvements is significant. According to USDOT, the areas receiving implementation funding recorded nearly 8,000 traffic fatalities and more than 60,000 serious injuries between 2019 and 2023. 

The full list of the 297 selected projects is available through the department's 2026 SS4A award list.