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Today, Mayor Castor and Representative Kathy Castor announced major transportation improvements aimed at improving public safety in Tampa's streets. The announcement was made possible by the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant program, a $20M federal grant, with a $5M local match, aimed at improving the quality of life of Tampa residents and visitors by quickly rolling out low-cost, high-impact projects.
The communities of East Tampa, West Tampa, and the University Area will receive most of the grant funds. City leaders are already starting to plan road safety projects in these areas so construction can begin as soon as federal funds are made available.
Projects Already Lined Up for Construction
- Avenida Republica de Cuba (14th St) in Historic Ybor City, where visitors and residents alike will soon see new on-street parking, a protected bike lane, and pedestrian safety improvements at intersections between Columbus Drive and 26th Avenue.
- The Main Street project will add on-street parking, a new pedestrian crosswalk at Habana Avenue, speed tables, and intersection safety improvements between MacDill Avenue and Armenia Avenue. The first phase of safety improvements is slated to begin this spring.
- Additionally, road safety projects are coming to Twiggs Street in Downtown Tampa and Habana Avenue in West Tampa. Community input on both projects will begin in the next few months.
Road Safety Improvements
The projects in this grant award are focused on increasing safety for the City’s most vulnerable roadway users through physical safety improvements, including:
- pedestrian mid-block crosswalks
- medians and pedestrian refuge islands
- reflective borders on traffic signals to improve visibility
- rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs) at crosswalks
- high visibility crosswalks
- signage & marking enhancements
- sidewalks
- separated bicycle lanes
- lane narrowing and repurposing
- upgraded street lighting
- improved school zone signage and flashers
- lowered posted speeds
Tampa’s High-Injury Network Corridors
Grant funds will provide safety improvements on City-owned roads on Tampa’s High Injury Network (HIN). The HIN was developed as part of the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan and is made up of the network of roads where the majority of Tampa’s deadly and life-altering crashes occur. The HIN represents 24 percent of roadway miles, but 73 percent of the city’s traffic deaths.
"Saving lives and reducing the tragic impact of traffic deaths is our top priority. We're taking action by investing in cost-effective measures to make our roads safer and working closely with our community partners,” Mayor Jane Castor said. “And because we know that certain areas are affected more severely, we're making sure to direct a significant portion of our resources, 74 percent, toward those communities. We won't rest until we see fewer people being hurt or losing their lives on our roads."
Congresswoman Kathy Castor led the fight to establish this grant program and bring these dollars back to Tampa Bay.
“Safer streets are on the way to Tampa Bay! Safer streets will save lives as we upgrade and connect neighborhoods for students headed to school, drivers headed to work and families enjoying a bike ride. I am thrilled that the landmark Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that I championed in Congress is delivering resources to our hometown. Mayor Castor, the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, and neighborhood advocates have worked hard to develop plans like Vision Zero to improve our neighborhoods. Their hard work is paying off – as few communities attracted more federal Safe Streets grant dollars from the Biden Administration than the Tampa Bay area. Tampa is on the move, and together we are building a safer and healthier community,” said Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14).
The grant will also fund the collection of data and the development of a Pedestrian Safety and Equity Action Plan, as well as a Safe Routes to Places Program that will provide safe and comfortable access to major destinations such as schools, parks, and transit.
About the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program
The Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant program is a competitive grant program, established by President Biden’s historic infrastructure law. It provides $5B over five years for regional, local, and Tribal initiatives — from redesigned roads to better sidewalks and crosswalks — to prevent deaths and serious injuries on the nation's roadways.
The City of Tampa is one of 37 local governments receiving grants under this program in this round of funding, and one of three in the state of Florida receiving funds.