City of Riverside Captures $7.5 Million in Federal Funds for Safety Improvements
Published: 9/13/2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept. 13, 2024
Contact:
Phil Pitchford
Public Information Officer
951-826-5975
City of Riverside Captures $7.5 Million in Federal Funds for Safety Improvements
Bike lanes, crosswalk improvements and sidewalks are part of the package
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Seeking to improve safety for pedestrians, the City of Riverside has captured nearly $7.5 million in federal funds through the Fiscal Year 2024 Safe Streets For All program, making Riverside one of only 11 jurisdictions in the state and the only one in Riverside County to receive these implementation funds.
The funds will go to the Riverside Neighborhood Safety Investment Project, which will construct several proven safety improvements within the project area surrounding Arlington Avenue, Adams Street, La Sierra Avenue and Highway 91. The goal is to improve traffic safety, support multi-modal transportation, revitalize the community, and encourage an active lifestyle.
“We want our community to be active by biking and walking, but safety is a concern for many people,” Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said. “The federal funds coming to Riverside will bring much needed improvements to our streets, providing our residents a safer place to walk, cycle and exercise.”
Projects include 16.2 miles of bike lanes, high visibility crosswalks and audible pedestrian push buttons at 85 intersections, ADA curb ramps and high visibility crosswalks at eight intersections, 0.6 miles of new sidewalks, and 0.9 miles of traffic calming improvements, such as speeds humps.
Money also will go to a master plan study for the proposed Marketplace Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge over Highway 91; a citywide Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Master Plan Study; and a citywide American Disability Act (ADA) Transition Master Plan Study.
“These funds will create a safer environment for walkers and cyclists now, while helping us find the money to study further improvements down the road,” Mayor Pro Tem Jim Perry said.
The entire Riverside Neighborhood Safety Investment Project is expected to cost $9.3 million, meaning the City will contribute about $1.8 million in matching funds.
The new grant funds be directed to intersections where there is a history of high-injury accidents, including between vehicles and bicycles. All the projects will be completed in areas that have a disadvantaged designation per the Equitable Transportation Community (ETC) Tool.
This is the second time the City of Riverside has obtained funding from this source. Information about the previous round of funding can be found here.
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