Hagerstown transportation planners eyeing federal funds under Safe Streets program

HAGERSTOWN, Md. ( DC News Now ) — Traffic engineers in the Hub City are busy applying for federal transportation funds under the “Safe Streets” program.

Municipal planners are designing traffic routes for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians with safety being their priority.

“With this action plan, the city can be in a position to identify improvements and secure funds through the Safe Streets Act,” said Matt Mullenax, executive director of the Hagerstown Regional Planning Organization.

Already, they have installed directional barriers and “speed cushions” on Dual Highway Route 40 as a way to cut down on fatalities and accidents.

“It’s really up to the [U.S.] Department of Transportation,” said Jim Bender, Hagerstown’s city engineer. “They have jurisdiction over Dual Highway, U.S. Route 40, so they want to review the data and see how effective this has been. They’ll make decisions about the future.”

City Hall hopes to get word from Washington on their grant application by the end of the calendar year.

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