The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced on Wednesday that Walker County was a recipient of a $200,200 federal grant to improve the safety of its roads. Known as the Walker County, Alabama Planning and Demonstration SS4A Community Action Plan, the award will be used by the Walker County Commission to develop a comprehensive safety action plan, with 54 percent of funding allocated to disadvantaged communities.
“Several months ago, the Commission hired a consulting firm called Simple Grants to go out and seek grants for our county. Wednesday, we saw the fruit of that partnership,” said Commission Chair Steve Miller. “We are pleased that this grant came through and look forward to putting these funds to work to improve road conditions here in the county.”
According to a USDOT press release, “funds will help communities in the development of road safety action plans and improve unsafe roadway corridors by implementing effective interventions.”
To receive the grant, the USDOT and the Commission must establish and execute a signed and mutually agreed upon grant agreement. Miller hopes that this action will be taken at the next Commission meeting in January.
District 3 Commissioner Jim Borden said that a portion of the funding will go toward roads in Cordova, Parrish, and Oakman, communities that fall within his district. “Because funding is limited, we have sought out different ways to improve roads and the quality of life in District 3,” Borden said. “This latest grant award is evidence that our relationship with Simple Grants is yielding a great return on the taxpayer’s investment.”
District 2 Commissioner Jeff Burrough added, “I’m excited to see many grants applied for and some awarded to the county. I’m thankful for all of the commission members who are supporting these efforts.”
Over the last three years, the total amount of grants obtained by the Commission is north of $1.5 million. These include grants for the county morgue, courthouse, Empire Road, and Tubbs Hill Road, as well as grants from Cawaco RC&D Council and the Tyson Food spill.
“We are committed to doing everything we can to find funding for our county,” Miller said.
Overall, the federal government awarded 385 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grants, totaling $817 million.
