Bradenton Wins $280K Federal Grant to Improve Traffic Safety
By Lisa Neff
Bradenton will use a $280,000 federal grant to identify traffic safety risks and test solutions aimed at reducing crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists.
The city will provide a 20% match to the U.S. Department of Transportation funding, creating a total $350,000 for a safety action plan and countermeasure demonstration project, described in a news release as a citywide effort to identify risks and test solutions to reduce crashes.
The project builds on safety data and planning efforts underway at city hall, as well as in coordination with Manatee County and the regional Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization.
“Formal work on the project, including consultant coordination, data collection and community engagement, will begin as the grant is executed and the project team is assembled,” said Bradenton public information manager Tiffany K. Shadik.
The funding through the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All competitive grant program was announced in late December. About $1 billion is being distributed for 521 projects in 48 states, 18 Tribal communities and Puerto Rico. Other communities in the area to win funds include Gulfport and Tampa.
The federal program offered two types of grants:
• Implementation grants to fund projects or strategies aligned with an existing action plan to address roadway safety challenges.
• Planning and demonstration grants to support the development, completion or enhancement of an action plan.
Bradenton’s grant is for planning, data-analysis and piloting proven countermeasures rather than large-scale construction, according to Shadik.
Countermeasures — or demonstration activities — could include flashing beacons, LED stop signs, rumble strips, curb enhancements and other quick-build safety tools.
“These pilot projects allow the city to evaluate what works best before making longer-term infrastructure investments,” Shadik said.
Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown said in a statement that the funding “gives us the opportunity to take a closer look at traffic safety across the city and test practical improvements to make our streets safer for everyone.”
Brown serves on the MPO and, at those meetings, often promotes micromobility projects and expresses concern about traffic risks, especially for pedestrians and bicyclists. Between 2018 and 2022, the city recorded 27 roadway fatalities — a fatality rate of 9.7 per 100,000 residents.
The mayor, in his statement, thanked U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, and his congressional staff for supporting the funding request to the Transportation Department.
Buchanan, in a statement Dec. 29, said, the grant will help “by taking a closer look at traffic risks and testing real-world solutions that make it safer for people to walk, bike and drive.”
The grant is for a multi-year program, with the project to be carried out in phases.
Shadik said, “Specific timelines will be finalized as the city completes grant setup and consultation coordination.”