Austin City Council has allocated a total of $24.37 million for safety improvements encompassing more than 60 intersections, crosswalks, and traffic signals. The funding comprises a $22.87 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, secured in February through the Safe Streets and Roads for All program, along with an additional $1.5 million from the city’s fiscal year 2022-23 budget, as approved on September 14.
This substantial grant will facilitate a range of safety enhancements, including the improvement of five to seven major intersections, the installation of 10 pedestrian hybrid beacons to aid in safer road crossings, and numerous upgrades to crosswalk markings, traffic signals, and street lighting. Additionally, a safety campaign focusing on roundabouts will be rolled out as part of these efforts.
Notably, over half of the grant’s funding is designated for safety projects in areas recognized by the Department of Transportation as historically underserved, with many of these areas situated east of I-35. This allocation responds to transportation data that reveals Austin’s Black and Hispanic populations are disproportionately affected by car crashes. As of September 27, statistics indicate that Black residents accounted for 18.4% of serious injuries and fatalities in Austin, while Hispanic residents represented 35.2%. In contrast, the city’s 2020 census data reports that the population comprises approximately 7% Black and 32% Hispanic or Latino residents. These safety upgrades aim to address these disparities and enhance the well-being of the entire community.
