FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 1, 2023

CONTACT:
MayorPress@sandiego.gov

SAN DIEGO The City of San Diego was selected today by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) for a competitive discretionary grant to fulfill the Biden-Harris Administrations mission to create safe streets for all Americans. Created in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, theSafe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program(SS4All) supports regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through competitive grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.

The $680,000 investment will help theCityadd a Comprehensive Speed Management Plan, Historically Disadvantaged Community Quick Build Program, and Slow Streets Program to the Citys existingVision Zero Strategy.

I want to thank the Biden-Harris Administration and Secretary Buttigieg for investing in ourCitysefforts to create safer streets for all San Diegans,San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said.This grant will help theCityadvance our Vision Zero Strategy by identifying traffic-calming and other safety improvement opportunities in our neighborhoods, with a special focus on making streets safer in our historically disadvantaged communities.

The SS4All grant funds will help the City develop a:

Comprehensive Speed-Management Plan:

• In line withAssembly Bill (AB) 43, theCitywill develop a comprehensive speed-management plan that identifies areas on the high-injury network where speed is the leading collision factor and work to identify high pedestrian/bicyclist activity that would benefit from lower speed limits. The goal of the plan would be to reduce speed limits across theCitythrough complementary tools such as education, outreach and traffic calming.

Citywide Slow Streets Program:

• TheCitywill evaluate and identify traffic-calming initiatives in neighborhoods across theCitywith high pedestrian and bike activity. Building on a successful pilot program in Pacific Beach that increased bicycle activity by 30%, the City will use funds to develop safe shared spaces allowing residents to get around their neighborhoods safely.

Historically Disadvantaged Community Quick Build Program:

• About 39% of theCityis considered historically disadvantaged by the U.S Department of Transportation. These grant funds will help the City establish a Quick Build Program to evaluate and identify quick build safety projects on the high-injury network in the Citys historically disadvantaged communities. The goal is to deliver roadway, pedestrian and bicycle improvement projects at one-tenth of the cost of traditional capital projects, and in a fifth of the time.

What San Diego leaders are saying:

City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera:
The Safe Streets and Roads for All grant award will provide our District 9 community with the foundational support to start planning safer streets for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. I want to thank our community partners for their collaboration on this grant and our federal representatives for their investment in our City. My office will continue to advocate for funding that improves safety and expands mobility options for our community.

Rep. Scott Peters (CA-50):
One of the most important functions of government is to keep our communities safe; this grant will help save lives. When I cast my vote for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021, I voted to improve and rebuild projects that were long overdue in my district and throughout our country. This landmark legislation will improve the quality of life for San Diegans for decades to come.

Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51):
San Diegans depend on safe streets, bike lanes, and sidewalks to get to school, travel to work, and live their everyday lives. Thats why I was so proud to support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will direct $680,000 to create safer streets in San Diego, especially in historically disadvantaged communities. This much-needed funding will help our incredible city support and protect our growing population and build for the future.

Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52):
The investment that the Biden-Harris Administration is making in the City of San Diego will have a lasting impact, especially for residents in our disadvantaged communities. Im looking forward to seeing the positive benefits that these grant funds will provide to better ensure the safety of people walking, biking and driving through our neighborhood streets.

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