DALLAS — Dallas will receive $21.8 million for road work at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Cedar Crest Boulevard, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced this week.
Projects proposed include installing bike lanes, narrowing roadways, crosswalk improvements, lighting upgrades, and more, according to a news release.
Dallas officials say the roadway was identified as having among the highest rates of fatal and severe injury crashes involving pedestrians in the city’s Vision Zero action plan and North Central Texas Council of Government’s regional pedestrian safety action plan.
City officials say five pedestrians have been severely injured in traffic collisions along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in the last two years.
"We are so thrilled by the announcement of this grant for the City of Dallas and specifically the southern Dallas community – enormous thanks to our Congressional leadership as well as our partnering agencies for their efforts,” said Dallas city councilmember Adam Bazaldua, who represents the area. “Knowing this significant investment will bring enhanced safety, community connection, and growth, this is a great step towards bringing a streetcar to the area.”
The project includes $5.25 million in matching funds from the city, as well as $200,000 from Dallas Area Rapid Transit for bus shelter upgrades.
“The city of Dallas is grateful to our partners for their initial work to secure these funds,” said City Manager T.C. Broadnax. “It’s a great day for mobility and safety improvements for the pedestrians of Dallas, and we look forward to getting this project underway.”