By Redaccion
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The City of Goleta has received a $364,000 Planning and Demonstration Activities grant through the Fiscal Year 2024 Safe Streets and Roads for All program.
The funding, awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, marks a significant advancement in Goleta’s Vision Zero initiative, aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
“We are committed to making our streets safer for everyone,” said Mayor Paula Perotte. “This funding represents a crucial opportunity to begin planning solutions that will save lives and enhance our urban environment.”
Teresa Lopes, Goleta’s senior project manager, also emphasized the importance of the grant, noting, “The City was fortunate to receive this funding, allowing us to continue supplemental planning for the San Jose Creek Multipurpose Path Project and further our Vision Zero efforts.”
Key Initiatives Funded by the Grant
The grant will support several key initiatives designed to enhance public safety and community engagement:
• Public Safety Dashboard: The City will develop a public safety dashboard to track and monitor progress on safety projects.
• Vision Zero Public Safety Campaign: A campaign will be launched to raise awareness of traffic safety issues, including the creation of a traffic-calming toolbox.
• Safe Routes to School Program: This program will focus on providing non-motorized transportation options for students living in the Old Town neighborhood.
These initiatives aim to foster community engagement, gather feedback, and ensure the city’s safety projects align with the needs of all residents.
Ongoing Efforts to Improve Safety
In addition to the grant, Goleta has already taken steps to make its roadways safer. The City adopted the Vision Zero Plan earlier this year, emphasizing the philosophy that serious collisions are preventable. While it may not be possible to avoid all accidents, Goleta is focusing on strategies to prevent fatalities and severe injuries.
The Goleta City Council also recently approved an ordinance, at its Sept. 3 meeting, to lower speed limits on several roadways in line with a new state law. The reduction in speed limits is intended to reduce the risk and severity of collisions across the city.
For more information about the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program, visit www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A.
