Madison County accepts $3.196 million Safe Streets and Roads for All award to begin scoping work

Madison County on Thursday accepted a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) award of $3,196,000 to fund a package of roadway safety and emergency response improvements.

Jessica (identified later in the record as Jessica Baston, county engineer) told the board the application — submitted last summer in collaboration with dispatch, emergency management, and the sheriff's department — won the second-highest award in the state. She said the county's total project cost is "just under $4,000,000," with the local match provided through a mix of in-kind efforts and financial contributions. "We were awarded $3,196,000," she stated on the record.

Baston described three program components: improving existing roadway safety at high-risk intersections and corridors through signage, signals and geometric changes; protecting vulnerable road users via design changes and corridor treatments; and optimizing first-responder operations through priority dispatch software, better equipment and speed-mitigation measures. She emphasized this acceptance authorizes the county to enter the federal scoping phase and that the scope may change as the federal process proceeds.

Commissioners voted to accept the grant award and to proceed with the scoping phase. Baston said the board would see further presentations and decisions as the project scope and requirements are refined.