Eligible Implementation Grant Projects

Implementation Grants are one of two available grant types under the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program. Implementation Grants must request funds to implement roadway safety strategies or projects that are consistent with an existing, comprehensive safety action plan (Action Plan). Learn more in the SS4A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Eligible Implementation Projects

• The following criteria must be met for activities to be eligible for funding under an Implementation Grant:
  • Activities must include carrying out projects and strategies in an Action Plan.
  • Activities must be directly related to addressing safety problem(s) identified in an Action Plan.
  • Activities may include planning, design, and development activities for specific projects and strategies.
  • Activities may include supplemental planning and/or demonstration activities to inform or update an existing Action Plan. 

Ineligible Implementation Activities

• The following activities are ineligible for funding under an Implementation Grant:
  • Projects and strategies whose primary purpose is not roadway safety.
  • Projects and strategies not identified in an existing, eligible Action Plan.
  • Maintenance activities for an existing roadway primarily to maintain a state of good repair.
  • Capital projects to construct new roadways used for motor vehicles.
  • Development or implementation of a public transportation agency safety plan (PTASP).

Frequently Asked Questions about Implementation Project Eligibility

Would a project to widen a street to increase the number of lanes be eligible?

No. Projects primarily intended to expand capacity or improve Levels of Service for motorists, such as additional lanes, are ineligible.

Would a project to repave a roadway to address potholes be eligible?

No. Projects and strategies deemed maintenance related are ineligible. However, roadway modifications on an existing roadway in support of specific safety related projects and strategies identified in an Action Plan are eligible.

Though State governments are not eligible for Safe Streets and Roads for All grants, can local governments apply for a project or strategy along a State-maintained facility if the State agreed and signed support for the project? 

Yes. An eligible applicant must have an agreement with the agency that has ownership and/or maintenance responsibilities for the roadway within the applicant’s jurisdiction to implement the project or strategy as part of an Implementation Grant.

Would a project to build off-road bicyclist and pedestrian facilities, including trails, be eligible?

Yes, if the separation of mode users from the existing road network is identified in an existing, eligible Action Plan as a project to address a safety need. Make sure to include any relevant Right of Way acquisition needs in the Project Readiness portion of your narrative.

Would rail highway grade crossing improvements be eligible?

Yes, rail highway grade crossing improvements are an eligible project if identified in the Action Plan.

Can we use grant funds to pay for right-of-way (ROW) expenses?

Acquiring land for right of way to implement a project in an Implementation Grant is an allowable expense as long as the costs are reasonable, necessary, and allocable to achieve the objectives outlined in the scope of work in the grant award. 

In acquiring property as part of a right-of-way purchase, grantees must follow local procurement guidelines and any applicable Federal requirements. For further information about real property, including disposition, and procurement guidelines, review 2 CFR 200.311, 2 CFR 200.320, and 2 CFR 200.403. 

Can we use grant funds to pay for feasibility studies using quick-build strategies? Would those count under a Planning and Demonstration Grant or an Implementation Grant?

Feasibility studies using quick-build strategies (e.g., paint, plastic bollards) that inform permanent projects in the future are called “demonstration activities” in the NOFO and are eligible activities that can be bundled as part of an Implementation Grant. Supplemental planning can also be included in a funding request for an Implementation Grant.

DOT expects to award at least $250 million in funds for demonstration activities that inform the development of or update an existing action plan, including demonstration activities in Implementation Grant funding requests.

Demonstration activities can have a different geographic scope compared to the projects and strategy locations.

Can SS4A grants be used to develop Complete Streets policies, processes, plans, and manuals?

Yes, under certain conditions. Policy and process updates could be done as part of developing a new comprehensive safety action plan through a Planning and Demonstration Grant. Complete Streets plans and manual updates could also be done as supplemental planning.

My community has an existing Action Plan and is eligible to apply for an Implementation Grant. Can we include projects and strategies identified in a safety report, study, or plan other than the Action Plan?

Yes, as long as the project and strategies are within the jurisdiction covered by the Action Plan, are identified at a high level or are consistent with safety recommendations from the Action Plan, and address an identified roadway safety problem.

For Implementation Grants, what level of project and strategy detail is required in the Action Plan to propose those projects and strategies in an application?

For example, does the project need to be specifically identified in a plan (e.g., by location, name, description), or can a project be submitted that is not completely/specifically identified, but satisfies goals outlined in an Action Plan?  

DOT expects Action Plans to include the locations/areas where safety risks have been identified, and a list of the types of projects and strategies to address the safety issue(s). The safety problem(s), location(s) of interest, and the list of the types of projects/strategies within the Action Plan should have a logical connection to each other and be articulated in the Action Plan. 

You may apply to fund projects and strategies through Implementation Grants that address broad, programmatic safety recommendations and goals from Action Plans. For example, if an Action Plan has an action item to review and address left turn crashes that are resulting in fatal crashes throughout the jurisdiction, an appropriate Implementation Grant could be to study access restriction throughout the jurisdiction (or even a particular problem corridor) and install medians or make signal modifications that address the identified safety issue.