Austin hopes to increase pedestrian crossings with federal grant

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin City Council will review and vote on submitting an application for federal dollars that would be used to increase pedestrian safety throughout some of the city's most dangerous roads.

The Austin Transportation and Public Works Department is hoping to get a grant up to $14.5 million to install between 30 and 50 pedestrian crossings in strategic locations, according to city documents. If the city's application is approved, it would have to match 20% of the grant money, which could be up to $2.9 million. That money would come from the 2018 and 2020 mobility bonds.

There are 1,986 crossing gaps in roads across the city identified as needing a pedestrian crossing, according to the city's Strategic Mobility Plan. City documents said the Transportation and Public Works Department would focus on locations in the city's High-Injury Network.

This would be the city's third application to the Safe Streets and Roads for All program. The city has received more than $23 million in the past two years from the same program.