Across the country, communities are grappling with the same challenge: how to make streets safer for everyone — drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users.

The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program, launched by the U.S. Department of Transportation, has been a lifeline for local governments committed to reducing crashes and saving lives. And now, as we approach the program’s final funding cycle in 2026, the window to act is closing.

The SS4A program was designed with a clear mission: to help communities plan and implement strategies that prevent roadway fatalities and serious injuries. It offers three pathways for funding — planning grants, demonstration grants, and implementation grants — each serving a distinct purpose.  The grants cover up to 80% of the project costs.

Planning grants provide funding for communities to develop or update a comprehensive safety action plan (referred to as an “action plan”), the blueprint for safer streets. Here is an example action plan in progress from the City of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Follow along to see how their action plan unfolds!

Demonstration grants go a step further by funding short-term, tangible safety projects that test innovative solutions before full-scale implementation. Communities have used these grants for quick-build curb extensions, temporary pedestrian refuges, traffic-calming devices, and behavioral pilot programs. Demonstration projects provide real-world data and community feedback, helping refine strategies and build public support for permanent improvements.

Finally, implementation grants fund the actual projects that bring these plans to life — everything from intersection redesigns and pedestrian safety enhancements to speed management, Safe Routes to School initiatives, and advanced safety technologies.

Eligibility for implementation grants hinges on having a current, approved safety action plan. Communities without one can still apply for planning or demonstration grants, which cover up to 80% of project costs. Even if you don’t anticipate applying for an implementation grant, having a plan — and testing strategies through demonstration projects — strengthens your case for other funding programs and positions your community for future opportunities.

SS4A in Action

The impact of SS4A funding is already visible. In Wisconsin, the City of Oshkosh secured an $8 million implementation grant to build a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over US 141, providing a safe alternative for non-motorized traffic that would otherwise navigate roundabouts designed primarily for motorized vehicles.

In Iowa, Webster County received $8.5 million to improve safety on 32.5 miles of rural roads identified as high-risk. Danville, Illinois, was awarded $10 million for road diets, lane width reductions, and new bike and pedestrian facilities. Shelbyville, Indiana, received $3.5 million for a single roundabout that will dramatically improve safety.

The most recent SS4A application cycle closed in June 2025, and awards are expected to be announced by December 23, 2025. If your community receives a planning grant this winter, time will be of the essence. Developing a comprehensive safety action plan quickly will ensure you’re eligible for the final round of implementation grants in 2026.

For communities that haven’t yet applied, the message is clear: don’t wait. The SS4A program is nearing its end, and this may be your last chance to leverage federal funding to make transformative local safety improvements. While the program has been successful since it inception in 2022, there is no indication that funding will be extended beyond the 2026 award cycle. Even if implementation funding isn’t in your immediate future, a strong safety plan and proven demonstration projects will open doors to other programs and demonstrate your commitment to protecting residents.

At MSA, we specialize in helping communities navigate this process — from crafting comprehensive safety action plans to designing impactful demonstration projects and positioning implementation packages for competitive funding. The SS4A program represents a rare opportunity to make lasting changes. Let’s make sure your community doesn’t miss it.