Cherokee County wins $7.6 million Safe Streets grant to fund safety projects on Highway 92

Commissioner Carter announced the county has been awarded a $7,600,000 Safe Streets for All grant aimed at implementing roadway safety measures along Highway 92.

The award, announced at the Jan. 6, 2026 Board of Commissioners meeting, grows out of a countywide Safe Streets study completed in recent years. "Because of that study, we were able to request a grant to help us implement some of those safety procedures, specifically down on Highway 92," Commissioner Carter said, and he publicly thanked Brantley Day and Patrick Bradshaw for their work on the application.

Why it matters: Highway 92 was described at the meeting as one of the county’s busiest and most dangerous roads; the grant is intended to fund projects identified in the county’s study with the stated long-term goal of reducing traffic deaths.

What was said: Carter told the board the initial grant request and study had cost the county roughly $75,000 in local investment and that the awarded grant totals $7.6 million. "So excited about that," he said, adding that county staff expect additional opportunities and that work is ongoing.

Next steps: County staff will work to translate the study recommendations into specific projects and procure design and construction services. Commissioner Carter and others thanked staff; no timetable for specific construction was provided at the meeting.

The announcement was made during the regular business portion of the Jan. 6 meeting; no formal vote was required to accept the grant on the night it was announced.