The city of St. Joseph is applying for a state grant to help it develop a safety plan for its streets and trails.
Addressing commissioners Monday, St. Joseph City Engineer Tim Zebell said the $300,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation would be used to hire Abonmarche to conduct a citywide crash study, road safety audits for both major and minor streets, and a review of sidewalks and trails.
“The goal of the grant is to complete a safety action plan that identifies ways to reduce or eliminate roadway fatalities and serious injuries,” Zebell said. “The grant would also allow us to give additional consideration to planned and potential non-motorized trail routes and crossings, pedestrian ADA improvements, and also enhancements in school zones.”
With the Michigan Department of Transportation reconstructing Main Street in 2027, this could be an opportunity for the city to adjust the flow of pedestrian traffic in the area to reduce the risk of crashes.
Commissioner Michael Fernandez said Monday seeking the grant makes sense to him.
“This helps us figure out how to best get people around throughout the whole city,” Fernandez said.
Commissioner Michael Sarola wondered if the city would have the resources to implement a Safety Action Plan. There are additional grants to do so.
Commissioners approved the grant application, and the city should learn whether it’s approved in the fall. Zebell said if approved, the city would likely engage Abonmarche next year.
The $300,000 grant, if it’s awarded, would require a $60,000 match from the city.
