The Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to provide funding to municipalities and public transit authorities to quickly implement improvements to plazas, sidewalks, curbs, streets, bus stops, parking areas, and other public spaces in support of public health, safe mobility, and strengthened commerce.
Donor Name: Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)
State: Massachusetts
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/31/2023
Size of the Grant: $250,000
Details:
Municipalities and transit authorities are wholly responsible for the implementation of funded projects. This includes any public engagement or notification about the project, concurrence with any state or local historical or environmental commissions, as well as for adhering to any local and state regulations pertaining to the advertisement and hiring of consultants or construction contractors. Unless work is being conducted by municipal staff, all work must be conducted by a MassDOT prequalified firm or contractor. Materials purchased using funds from this program become the property of the municipality. Funding provided by the Shared Streets and Spaces program does not change the control or ownership of any municipal roadway.
Funding Information
The maximum grant funding limit across all project types is $250,000.
Eligible Projects
Projects must align with the program goals of supporting public health, safe mobility, and strengthened commerce. In general, successful projects are those that can be implemented quickly, flexibly, at relatively low cost, and that have demonstrated community support. Unlike previous rounds, project types have no set grant award limit and all project types are eligible for up to $250,000. This is a quick-build grant program focused on projects that are easily implementable. Applicants should only apply for projects that fit within the grant maximum of $250,000. Larger projects that are more likely to require more substantive design and public process may not be a good fit for this program. Eligible project elements are broad but must include elements from at least one of the project types listed below.
- Bikeshare Equipment – Support the capital costs and operating expenses for new bikeshare programs around the Commonwealth. Example interventions include:
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- Purchase of bicycles
- Docks/stations
- Locks
- Kiosks/terminals
- Minor construction to install bike racks and rental kiosks including concrete pads or small changes to curbing
- Operating costs including software, licensing, insurance, yearly maintenance not to exceed beyond 3 years or the overall grant limit
- Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure – Make biking and walking a safe, comfortable, and convenient option for everyday trips. Example interventions include:
- New or significantly widened sidewalks
- New or improved pedestrian crossings
- Such as new paint, shortened crossings, better ramps, or refuge islands
- Pedestrian signal upgrades at intersections or mid-block crossings
- Such as Leading Pedestrian Intervals, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, or HAWK signals. Note: Modified traffic signals require plans stamped by a registered Professional Engineer
- Bike lanes
- On-road or off-road, with a preference for separated or protected
- Note: Sharrows are not considered a safe bicycle facility
- Trails or shared use paths connections
- Larger trail projects or shared used paths may be better suited for the MassTrails Grant Program
- At-grade rail crossing improvements for bicyclists and pedestrians
- Bicycle parking
- Bicycle racks
- For guidance on adequate, secure, and convenient options for bicycle parking infrastructure, please review the City of Boston’s Bicycle Parking Guidelines (January 2021) and NACTO’s Bicycle Parking Guidance.
- Bicycle repair stations o Pedestrian or bicyclist lighting
- Pedestrian or bicyclist wayfinding
- Including safety/directional signage for pedestrians and bicyclists (must describe where and how it will be used)
- Bicycle-friendly drain grates
- Snow removal equipment for pedestrian and bicyclist facilities
- Speed feedback signs
- Transit Supportive Infrastructure – Establish new facilities for public buses, including but not limited to dedicated bus lanes, traffic signal priority equipment, and bus stop improvements. Example interventions include:
- Dedicated bus or bus/bike lanes
- Transit service improvements
- Such as traffic signal prioritization equipment
- Transit station/stop access improvements
- Such as shelters, lighting, signage, or repairs
- Outdoor Programming – Repurposing streets, plazas, sidewalks, curbs, and parking areas to facilitate seasonal outdoor activities and programming. If enclosing an area for seasonal outdoor activities adjacent to active vehicular traffic without a raised curb or other meaningful separation, barrier materials must be appropriate to the level and speed of the vehicular traffic. Projects under this category must meet ADA/AAB requirements (for routes, tables, and seating, etc.) and be allowed under local jurisdiction. Example interventions include:
- Repurposed and/or expanded portions of streets, curbs, and/or sidewalks to create more safe space for people to walk and bike, retail activity, dining, and community programming
- Repurposed parking areas (on- and off-street) for walking, biking, recreation, outdoor seating, retail and/or dining
- Heaters, tents, tables and chairs, lighting, and other equipment to support outdoor programming that is part of a larger project proposed to transform transportation infrastructure
Eligibility Criteria
All Commonwealth municipalities and public transit authorities – including those that have received Shared Streets and Spaces grants in the past – are eligible to apply.
For more information, visit MassDOT.
