Carbajal Announces $1.7 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Protect Central Coast Pedestrians, Prevent Roadway and Cyclist Deaths

Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) announced today another $1,719,611 in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to prevent roadway deaths and protect pedestrians and cyclists on the Central Coast.

Grants from theSafe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program, which was created by Rep. Carbajal through his work on the 2021 infrastructure law, is delivering:

• $791,611 for the City of Santa Barbara and University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)
• $400,000 for the City of San Luis Obispo
• $364,000 for the City of Goleta
• $164,000 for the City of Pismo Beach

"Part of revitalizing our infrastructure and improving our roads and highways is making sure that Central Coast residents are safe while using them, both as a passenger and as a pedestrian or bicyclist,"said Rep. Carbajal."I'm proud to see another round of infrastructure funding coming to the Central Coast to help deliver on our goal of making traffic deaths a thing of the past."

The $791,611 award to Santa Barbara and UCSB will be used to collect pedestrian and cycling count data in Santa Barbara, integrate it with crash data, and determine future road safety audits by identifying unsafe pedestrian and cycling hot spots.

The $400,000 award to San Luis Obispo will help the City conduct a comprehensive safety assessment, including a detailed analysis of the collision history; a roadway safety audit; expanded data collection; and stakeholder engagement.

The $364,000 award to Goleta will be used to implement a public safety dashboard to track and monitor safety projects; Vision Zero Public Safety Campaign which will include development of a traffic calming toolbox; and a Safe Routes to School program to establish non-motorized transportation options for students residing in the Old Town neighborhood.

The $164,000 for Pismo Beach will be used to develop a comprehensive safety action plan.

"The data collected through this grant will be essential in identifying the areas where safety investments can have the most impact," said Jessica Grant, Supervising Transportation Planner for the City of Santa Barbara. "Our goal is to use this pilot program as a model that can be expanded across Santa Barbara County, improving mobility and safety for everyone."

"This grant will enable us to build a data system that will support decisions aiming to improve safe and accessible streets, especially for vulnerable road users like pedestrians and people on bicycles," said Trisalyn Nelson, Chair of the Department of Geography, UC Santa Barbara.

"We're excited to support the City of Santa Barbara in expanding safe walking and bicycling access by providing data to guide evidence-based decisions on prioritizing infrastructure investments," said Lizzy Schattle, SPAR Lab Communications Manager, Department of Geography, UC Santa Barbara.

"The City of San Luis Obispo is pleased to be awarded the Safe Streets For All grant as it helps us address the preventable crisis of deaths and serious injuries on our roadways. The grant will support preparation of a Complete Street Corridor Plan for Broad Street and a quick-build, demonstration project on the highest priority stretch of the corridor from South Street to Orcutt Road. This will help the City reach its Vision Zero goals to eliminate all fatal and serious injuries and will improve safety and comfort for all means of transportation including driving, walking, strolling, rolling, and bicycling," said San Luis Obispo Mayor Erica A. Stewart.

"We are deeply honored to receive this federal Department of Transportation grant for the Safe Streets and Roads initiative. This funding will play a critical role in advancing Pismo Beach's Vision Zero Action Plan, aimed at eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries. Ensuring the safety of all who use our roads-whether driving, biking, or walking-is a top priority, and this grant enables us to take meaningful steps toward a safer, more connected community. We look forward to implementing these changes and making Pismo Beach's streets safer for everyone."said Jorge Garcia, City Manager for Pismo Beach.

Last year, Rep. Carbajal announced nearly $1,000,000 from the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program for Santa Barbara County. In 2022, the County of San Luis Obispo received $320,000 from this grant program for their Safe Streets Action Plan.

More information on the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program can be found here.

This summer, Rep. Carbajal marked a milestone $1 billion for Central Coast projects from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Rep. Carbajal, through his role as a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, helped write and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law over the course of 2021.

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