Duluth, GA — Today, Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-07) announced that the Gwinnett County Department of Transportation will be the recipient of a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant award. The $1,600,000 award will be used to pilot speed management treatments, employ enhanced data analytics, and integrate new traffic data technologies to both plan and evaluate safety interventions. Funding for this application was requested by McBath in a letter of support to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in May.
“Gwinnett County continues to set a strong example for the metro Atlanta region in pursuing new and unique ways to grow while keeping an emphasis on safety and equity,” McBath said. “I was proud to lend my support to the county’s application for the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant, and I am pleased that our nation’s Department of Transportation recognizes the need for this funding in such an important part of our state. None of this would have been possible without the transformative Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and I am so grateful to Secretary Buttigieg and the Biden-Harris Administration for making this needed investment in our growing community.”
“Receiving the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant is a pivotal step for Gwinnett County as we strive to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents,” said Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson. “This funding will empower us to implement innovative strategies that address our growing transportation needs while prioritizing equity and accessibility for every member of our community.”
“This federal grant represents a significant investment in the future of Gwinnett’s transportation infrastructure,” said Gwinnett County Transportation Director Lewis Cooksey. “By integrating advanced technologies and data analytics, we will not only enhance our ability to identify and address safety concerns but also create a more efficient and responsive transportation network. Our goal is to protect vulnerable roadway users and promote safer commuting options for everyone in our rapidly growing community.”
Between 2017 and 2021, Gwinnett County experienced a total of 283 fatalities. Currently home to over 1 million residents, Gwinnett County is a rapidly growing area that is expected to be the most populous county in Georgia by 2050. This growth will lead to increased traffic over the next 25 years, creating heightened safety concerns for vulnerable roadway users along the county’s 2,650 centerline miles of roadway. Gwinnett will use these new technologies to identify high-priority areas and corridors where interventions are necessary to mitigate safety risks, with priority given to corridors in Justice40 designated areas.
The Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary grant program was established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021. The discretionary program will appropriate $5 billion over 5 years, 2022 to 2026. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.