U.S. Department of Transportation announces newest round of Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant opportunities
Author
Ben Gilsdorf
Andrew Nober
Upcoming Events
Related News
Key Takeaways
On March 27, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) posted a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program. Almost $1 billion is available for distribution under the grant program, which supports safety planning and improvement projects on locally owned transportation networks.
Counties, as well as metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and other local governments, are eligible applicants for the SS4A program. SS4A was created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA; P.L. 117-58) and has provided nearly $4 billion funding to local transportation safety projects across all 50 states over the last four years.
What projects are eligible?
SS4A has two types of grants which support safety projects in local communities:
Planning and demonstration grants can be used to develop or expand comprehensive safety action plans, which are improvement programs which will reduce collisions and increase safety for all roadway users. Demonstration grants can also be used for feasibility studies and technology pilot programs and are typically between $100,000 and $5,000,000.
Implementation grants fund construction projects outlined in Action Plans which must focus on roadway safety improvements. Examples of eligible projects include speed management, pedestrian safety enhancement, intersection redesign and more. While there is no statutory maximum on the size of implementation grants, they are typically between $5,000,000 and $25,000,000.
In this current NOFO, $305.6 million is made available for planning and demonstration grants and $687.8 million is made available for implementation grants. The program’s cost-share component requires that at least 20 percent of a project’s funding must be from a non-federal source. Counties must apply through the Valid Eval platform by 5:00 PM EDT on May 26, 2026, for the current grant cycle.
Learn more about the FY26 NOFO for SS4A
The future of the SS4A program
The SS4A program was authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which is set to expire on September 30, 2026. This means that this round of funding under SS4A could be the last under the program, if Congress chooses not to continue it in its next surface transportation reauthorization bill.
NACo strongly supports the SS4A program, in particular because of its ease of implementation and availability exclusively to local governments and regional organizations. NACo has endorsed the bipartisan Safe Streets and Roads for All Reauthorization and Improvement Act (H.R. 5452) and advocated for its inclusion in the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization bill.
Related News
NACo endorses bill to support, finance transit-oriented development projects
On April 20, NACo endorsed the Build Housing, Unlock Benefits and Services (Build HUBS) Act (H.R. 7062/S. 3636).
NACo submits feedback on USDOT’s rural outreach initiative
On April 23, NACo submitted a response to a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on its Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) Initiative. Given the predominantly rural nature of counties and the important role that counties play in our nation’s transportation system, NACo is uniquely positioned to provide important feedback to USDOT on this topic.
NACo endorses bill to allow states to regulate blocked rail crossings
On April 8, NACo endorsed the Railroad Responsibility Act of 2025 (H.R. 341). Led by Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), this important legislation grants states the authority to regulate blocked at-grade railroad crossings. Delays caused by extended blocked train crossing create safety and connectivity concerns by increasing emergency response times and disrupting traffic.
Advocacy
U.S. House members introduce NACo-endorsed, bipartisan BASICS Act to improve transportation programs for local infrastructure
On February 9, Reps. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Mich.) and Robert Bresnahan (R-Pa.) introduced the Bridges And Safety Infrastructure for Community Success (BASICS) Act.
