Taking advantage of federal funding opportunities is critical for communities that want to create safe, connected environments. Versailles, Kentucky sought to do just that when they submitted a successful application for the USDOT Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program.
Rural communities have unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to roadway safety. Despite this, federal funding programs aimed at supporting safer walking, biking, and rolling may feel inaccessible to them. Smart Growth America (SGA) and AARP sought to address this through the AARP Rural Lab Technical Assistance (TA) Program to support rural communities in applying for USDOT Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grants.1
The TA program facilitated group and individual learning through virtual sessions and one-on-one coaching to develop applications for 2024 SS4A funding. So far, one participating community—Versailles, Kentucky—has already been awarded a $108,400 Planning and Demonstration Grant for four quick-build demonstration projects.
Versailles is a city located in central Kentucky with a population of around 10,000. Even before they participated in this technical assistance, Versailles made efforts to implement community improvements and address road safety. Their volunteer driver program Woodford Wheels, funded by a Federal Transit Administration grant to support free rides, was an important step in creating a community where people feel connected to goods, services, and one another regardless of whether or not they drive. This program, which was originally launched as a temporary effort, became permanent and ignited excitement and energy for improving transportation and connectivity in Versailles.
Through their own dedication combined with support from SGA, Versailles was able to obtain funding for the projects proposed in their SS4A application. Versailles Council Member Laura Dake and Mary Beth Robson, Engineer for Versailles Midway Woodford County Planning Commission, dedicated their time and expertise to ensure they wrote a strong SS4A application, which sought funding for four quick-build demonstration projects to inform updates to the Regional Safety Action Plan.
These temporary installations funded through SS4A will be used to measure the impacts of restricting left turns to and from high-crash areas and busy intersections, creating temporary sidewalks, and using digital speed awareness signs. The lessons learned from these projects will be used to make recommendations for long-term changes to these hotspots and similar locations across Woodford County.
Communities all over the U.S. can benefit from opportunities to access support in navigating the often complex world of federal funding, so that they can take advantage of funding that they might not otherwise be able to pursue. USDOT should thoughtfully consider the challenges and limitations communities are facing so that their resources can reach every community where leaders are working for safer streets.
We’re excited to see what Versailles will learn from their SS4A-funded quick-build demonstration projects.