MassDOT is pleased to announce that the fourth grant round of the Shared Streets and Spaces Program is now open.
Donor Name: Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)
State: Massachusetts
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 03/01/2022
Size of the Grant: $500,000
Details:
The Shared Streets and Spaces Program is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). The program provides 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. Building on the success of the program first launched as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic during the summer of 2020, the program continues to be an integral funding source for communities as they address ongoing challenges and seek to improve their transportation infrastructure.
A funding program that supports quick-launch improvements to public health, safe mobility, and strengthened commerce.
Funding Information
Grant limits vary by project type up to $500,000.
Project Eligibility
Projects must align with the program goals of supporting public health, safe mobility, and strengthened commerce. For this round of funding, projects that promote Speed Management will be prioritized. In general, successful projects are those that can be implemented quickly, flexibly, at relatively low cost, and that have demonstrated community support. The categories of eligible projects are intentionally broad but must include elements from at least one of the project types listed below. Projects including more than one element are often more successful than those that only include a single element.
- Speed Management – Make streets safer for all users by reducing vehicle speeds. Projects must propose appropriate interventions to address identified speed issues. Projects must provide MassDOT with observed speed data before and after the intervention. Use of MassDOT’s Speed Management Data Form is required at the time of application. The Data Form guides municipalities in collecting speed data. Municipalities that have already collected data may simply complete the Summary tab of the Data Form and submit it with the raw data. Projects are not penalized for efficacy. Learn more about MassDOT’s Speed Management philosophy. Download the Speed Management Data Form at the end of this section. Grants for this project type may be awarded up to $200,000. Example interventions include:
- Road diets or lane narrowing
- Speed humps, cushions, or tables
- Mini roundabouts or traffic circles
- Tightened radii or curb extensions
- Raised center medians
- Raised intersections or crosswalks
- Chicanes
- Speed transition zones from rural to urban/suburban environments
- Pedestrian activated warning devices such as Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
- Pedestrian signal upgrades at intersections or mid-block crossings
- Speed feedback signs
- Other traffic calming elements or street reconfigurations
- Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure – Make biking and walking a safe, comfortable, and convenient option for everyday trips. Grants for this project type may be awarded up to $200,000. 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
- Note: For larger trails and shared-use paths, MassDOT recommends applying for funding through MassTrails, which is currently accepting applications until February 1, 2022.
- At-grade rail crossing improvements for bicyclists and pedestrians
- Bicycle parking
- Pedestrian or bicyclist lighting
- Pedestrian or bicyclist wayfinding
- New bike-share equipment
- Bicycle-friendly drain grates
- Transit Supportive Infrastructure – Establish new facilities for public buses, including but not limited to dedicated bus lanes, traffic signal priority equipment, and bus shelters. Grants for this project type may be awarded up to $500,000. 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
- Main Streets – Repurposing streets, plazas, sidewalks, curbs, and parking areas to facilitate outdoor activities and programming. If enclosing an area for 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. Grants for this project type may be awarded up to $100,000. 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
- Note: Must be part of a larger project that makes use of streets, plazas, sidewalks, curbs, and/or parking areas
- Equipment Only – Applications requesting funds solely for the purchase of eligible equipment up to $50,000. Municipalities are eligible to receive two Equipment Only grants in addition to an award for another project type within the same grant round. Equipment Only awards do not count against the limit of one award per funding round. No design costs, labor costs, or contingencies should be included in Equipment Only applications. Design plans may be required by MassDOT depending on the equipment requested. Any equipment that is eligible for funding through other project types is eligible for Equipment Only. Examples of Equipment Only items include:
- Speed feedback signs
- Pedestrian activated warning devices such as Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
- Flex posts and other bicycle lane delineators
- Bicycle racks
- Bicycle repair stations
- Signal equipment
- Pavement markings and/or paint (must describe where and how it will be used)
- Safety/directional signage for pedestrians and bicyclists (must describe where and how it will be used)
- Snow removal equipment for pedestrian and bicyclist facilities
- Note: Equipment for outdoor dining/programming must be part of a larger Main Streets project that makes use of streets, plazas, sidewalks, curbs, and/or parking areas
Eligibility Criteria
Every municipality and public transit authority is eligible to apply.
For more information, visit Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program.
