Lakewood applies for $1.2 million Safe Streets planning grant to update multi-modal transportation analysis

City staff told the Planning Commission on July 16 that the city submitted an application for a Safe Streets for All planning grant, requesting $1.2 million to fund a multi-year transportation planning effort.

The federal Safe Streets for All program is funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Staff said the 2025-26 program set aside about 40% of available funds for planning grants, increasing the likelihood of funding for planning work. "Planning grants are likely to be funded, which is why we invested the time and effort to apply," a staff presenter told commissioners.

If awarded, the proposed work would include a citywide road-safety audit, updated travel-demand modeling (the current modeling predates the downtown and station-district subarea plans), multimodal capacity analysis, a parking-safety empirical study to support any needed exemptions for on-street parking, development of a funding strategy for recommended improvements, and stakeholder engagement aligned with updates to the transportation element of the comprehensive plan and related environmental review. Staff said the application asks for funding to carry the work through 2028 if needed.

The presenter said the Green Street Loop (a downtown subarea project) is funded and proceeding under a separate grant, and is not part of the Safe Streets application. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the amount requested; staff confirmed the city requested $1.2 million.

No award has been announced; staff said the city is awaiting notification.