City of Columbus Awarded a $12 Million Safe Streets for All Grant to Help End Serious Crashes on E. Livingston Avenue
The City of Columbus has been awarded a $12 million federal Safe Streets for All Implementation Grant to fund transportation safety improvements along E. Livingston Avenue in the Driving Park neighborhood. The grant, combined with a $12 million city investment, funds planning, design and construction of infrastructure changes that will make it safer to walk, bike and drive along Livingston — a corridor on the Vision Zero Columbus High Injury Network due to the high incidence of traffic violence.
The improvements will be made from 18th Street to Nelson Road. The Vision Zero safety project is focused on reducing pedestrian and fatal and serious injury crashes on Livingston.
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the grant award today. The Livingston project is one of 510 projects across the U.S. to receive a historic $800 million in grant awards through the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program, which funds regional, local and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.
“I am grateful to the Biden administration, Transportation Secretary Buttigieg, Senator Brown and Congresswoman Beatty, and so many of our residents for their support of the Livingston Avenue project,” said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “This investment will significantly improve the safety and accessibility of the corridor, businesses and other community assets. It will help Driving Park and the surrounding neighborhoods reconnect with their rich histories and celebrate residents who made significant impacts on American history. Residents deserve the right to safe mobility.”
The Livingston project is led by the Department of Public Service, which is working with the neighborhood and a diverse steering committee of residents and business, faith and community organization representatives to plan and design corridor improvements.
“We understand residents’ concerns about the current Livingston roadway conditions that threaten pedestrian, cyclist and driver safety,” said Public Service Director Jennifer L. Gallagher. “Our partnership with the community is working toward real solutions to achieve a safe travel environment and connectivity for everyone who lives and travels along Livingston Avenue.”
Currently, the Public Service project team is working with residents on roadway design alternatives that will enhance safety at intersections, improve sidewalks and pedestrian crossings, provide protected bike lanes and reduce travel lanes to one in each direction, with a center turn lane to slow vehicle speeds and reduce crashes.
“The Safe Streets for All grant award is wonderful news and is desperately needed to reduce traffic violence in our neighborhood,” said Danielle Dillard, a Driving Park resident and member of the project steering committee. “The grant supercharges the city’s $12 million commitment to accessible, safe travel options along Livingston Avenue, reinvigorates our community and celebrates its spirit and history.”
Another public meeting on the project will be announced in the coming months. More information on the Livingston Avenue safety improvements project and the Safe Streets for All grant application can be found here.
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