Bloomington applies for share of $1B from federal safe streets program

This past week, the city of Bloomington submitted its application for a portion of nearly $1 billion in funding that is available in 2025 through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant program. The deadline for applications was June 26.

The SS4A program requires local governments that want funding to have a traffic safety action plan in place. In 2024, Bloomington’s planning and transportation staff put together a safety action plan for the city’s roadways, which was approved by the city council in December.

That meant Bloomington was eligible to apply for the 2025 round of SS4A funding. The SS4A program was authorized for $5 billion from FY 2022–2026 under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was signed into law in late 2021.

According to its application Bloomington selected project locations based on basic criteria like their inclusion in the city’s Safety Action Plan as part of the High Injury Network or High Risk Network.

Projects described in Bloomington’s application had to be technically feasible for completion within five years, have community and elected official support, and not require approval from INDOT. Projects were limited to those rated Medium, High, or Highest priority in the city’s adopted SS4A plan. Project areas that are included in the application also had to draw significant public interest from community engagement activities.

Bloomington has adopted a goal of zero traffic deaths by 2039.

Highlights of the projects in Bloomington’s SS4A application include the corridor made up of Rogers Street, Madison Street, and Kinser Pike, from Country Club Drive to Gourley Pike. There the city plans lighting; pedestrian refuge islands; curb extensions; rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs); high-visibility crosswalks; walkways to fill sidewalk gaps; and retroreflective backplates for traffic signals and other signal head upgrades.

For 3rd Street and Atwater Avenue, from Dunn Street to High Street, the application includes high-visibility crosswalks; ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps; and raised crosswalks.

On Henderson Street, between Brandon Court to Heather Drive, Bloomington’s application proposes lighting; pedestrian refuge islands; curb extensions; RRFBs; high-visibility crosswalks; walkways; and retroreflective backplates and signal upgrades.

For Bloomfield Road, from Landmark Avenue to I-69, the application includes intersection realignment to improve sightlines; lighting; raised crosswalks; truck aprons; and pedestrian refuge islands.

Other locations and treatments mentioned in the application include crosswalk and lighting improvements at Clarizz Boulevard and Moore’s Pike; a median and signage enhancements at W. 11th Street and Fairview Street; crosswalk and lighting improvements on Fee Lane between 11th Street and Brisco Quad; a shared-use path and crosswalk improvements along E. 17th Street from David Baker Avenue to SR 45/46; sidewalk construction and crossing improvements on Indiana Avenue between 15th and 17th Streets; and a potential raised intersection and traffic control conversion at Hillside Drive and Henderson Street.

The city’s application includes letters of support from Bloomington’s representatives in the Indiana General Assembly: Shelli Yoder, Indiana State Senate (District 40), and Matt Pierce, Indiana House of Representatives (District 61). Letters of support are also included from several governmental and civic organizations: Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT); Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC); Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce; YIMBYana; Stronger B-Town; Indiana University; Monroe County Highway Department; Monroe County Parks and Recreation Department; and Bloomington Transit (BT).

Announcement of grant awards is expected in late fall.

In the first three years of the SS4A program, Indiana localities have received a total of about $50 million. Here’s a breakdown: