# What the High Risk Rural Roads Safety Grant Program Act Does

This bill creates a new federal grant program designed to help make dangerous rural roads safer. The federal government will give money to local governments, Native American tribes, and other organizations to fix specific safety problems on rural roads that have high accident rates or dangerous conditions. The program will distribute $600 million per year from 2022 through 2027 to fund these improvements.

The types of projects that can receive funding are quite varied and practical. Communities can use the money to install rumble strips that warn drivers they're drifting, improve intersections where accidents frequently happen, add better road signs and markings, install guardrails or barriers, fix roads where the edge has dropped off dangerously, widen narrow sections, remove obstacles near the road, or even add technology to help emergency vehicles get through traffic lights faster. The program also covers safety improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists, and people with disabilities, as well as measures to prevent collisions with wildlife. Importantly, the federal government will cover the full cost of these projects—communities don't have to contribute their own money.

Who benefits most from this? Rural communities with dangerous roads will have access to federal funding without having to match it with local dollars. Native American tribes get special priority, with at least $100 million per year reserved specifically for tribal road safety projects. Local governments, counties, regional transportation authorities, and special districts can all apply for grants on a competitive basis. For everyday people living in rural areas, this means the roads they drive on could become noticeably safer through targeted improvements addressing the specific hazards in their communities.

High Risk Rural Roads Safety Grant Program Act of 2021

O'Halleran, Tom

High Risk Rural Roads Safety Grant Program Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Transportation to award competitive grants to local governments, Indian tribes, metropolitan planning organizations, and other public transportation authorities for projects to improve safety on high risk rural roads in the United States. Funds may be used for certain projects or activities to improve safety, including (1) road safety audits; (2) intersection safety improvements; (3) the installation of rumble strips or other warning devices; and (4) activities that improve the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, or individuals with disabilities. At least $100 million of funding available to carry out the grant program must be set aside for Indian tribes.