$11 million pours into Prince George's for pedestrian safety

MT RAINIER, Md. — Nearly $11 million in federal infrastructure funding is being directed to Prince George's County communities in the midst of a pedestrian safety crisis, local leaders announced Monday.

“Too often, aging infrastructure contributes to accidents that cause serious injuries and even death for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians," said Rep. Glenn Ivey of Maryland's 4th District, which includes much of Prince George's County. "These funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which we fought to pass, will upgrade our roads, make them safer for our communities, and shorten commute times for the millions of hardworking Marylanders who depend on public infrastructure every day. They will enable our local partners to improve safety and accessibility on roadways across our state."

Highlights of the funding include:

• $9,764,000 to Mount Rainer to implement its Vision Zero plan
• $768,000 to the Towns of Riverdale Park and Edmonston to develop a Complete Streets plan
• $160,000 to the Town of Brentwood to create a Vision Zero plan to eliminate traffic fatalities and to improve bicycle accessibility through road improvements

The announcement came 11 weeks to the day after two children were killed in Riverdale Park while crossing to go to school.

According to an announcement from Ivey's office, The Safer Streets and Roads for All program was established to support regional and local efforts to prevent roadway deaths through planning and demonstration projects that help local governments better understand the safety challenges in their communities and implement solutions to make their streets, roads, and highways safer for all.