The Situation?
For years, Milwaukee County has faced escalating challenges related to roadway safety. Fatal and serious injury crashes increased 42% in 2020-2022 compared to 2010-2012, outpacing national trends. The county’s roadways have become increasingly dangerous for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and motorists, prompting urgent calls for action. 

What Is the Project, and How Would It Benefit the Community?
Milwaukee County seeks a $25 million federal grant to implement a comprehensive Safety Action Plan, developed through extensive public engagement and data analysis over the past three years. The plan identifies 25 of the most hazardous corridors and outlines more than 500 potential safety interventions—including road diets, slow zones, signal improvements, and intersection daylighting—to address the root causes of reckless driving and protect all road users. 

If awarded, the grant will fund the construction of permanent safety infrastructure and countermeasures across all 19 municipalities within Milwaukee County. The plan’s unified approach ensures that every community, from the City of Milwaukee to the smaller villages, benefits from data-driven safety improvements. The county projects that these measures could reduce fatal and serious injury crashes by 18% overall, making streets safer and more accessible for everyone. 

What Could Make the Investment Possible?
The project plan was made possible by a robust planning process, which included nearly two dozen public meetings in 2023, ongoing collaboration with municipal leaders, and the establishment of advisory and working groups to ensure that community voices were heard and considered. The planning phase was supported by previous federal and state grants, including an $800,000 award from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program, which required a 20% match from the county. 

Building on this foundation, Milwaukee County is now applying for a larger federal implementation grant. 

What’s the Status?
Milwaukee County finalized its Comprehensive Safety Action Plan earlier in 2025, marking the transition from planning to implementation. The county is now pursuing a $25 million federal grant to construct safety improvements across its most dangerous corridors. 

Cleanup after a single-vehicle crash on E. Mason St. Photo by Jeramey Jannene