In a recent announcement, the City of Arlington Public Works Department celebrated the acquisition of a $385,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program. The grant is aimed at supporting planning and demonstration projects to enhance safety and reduce the risk of fatalities and severe injuries on the nation's roadways.
The allocated funds will be directed towards updating Arlington's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. This comprehensive evaluation will encompass existing facilities, programs, services, and activities, marking a significant step towards transforming the ADA Program into a proactive initiative. The primary goal is to improve community safety, with a specific focus on enhancing accessibility.
As part of this initiative, Arlington will conduct a thorough condition assessment of all sidewalks and pedestrian facilities, leading to the development of the city's inaugural Sidewalk Master Plan. This plan will utilize a data-driven prioritization framework to identify impactful sidewalk and pedestrian facility projects, thereby improving mobility throughout the entire city. The information gathered will inform future budgets for the Sidewalk Capital Improvement Program Projects.
Recognizing the importance of community engagement, the City of Arlington plans to involve stakeholders through various methods. These include leveraging the existing advisory committee, launching a dedicated project website, utilizing interactive mapping tools, conducting surveys, and delivering community presentations.
The redevelopment of the ADA Transition Plan, coupled with the introduction of the Sidewalk Master Plan, is anticipated to create a safer and more accessible environment for all Arlington residents.
