HOLYOKE — Like many cities and towns in Massachusetts and across the country, pedestrian and road safety are two priorities at the top of each municipality’s goals. Holyoke was awarded state and federal grants totaling $247,850 to fund the preparation of a comprehensive speed-management plan to bring about safer streets.
The larger of the two grants, $197,850, came from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Safe Streets 4 All” program, which is part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Funds have been allocated to local, regional and tribal communities to improve roadway safety and prevent deaths and serious injuries on rural and urban roads, including some of the most dangerous in the country.
Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia talked about how it feels to receive these funds and how they can benefit the city.
“This is extremely good news and great timing,” Garcia said. “With these combined funding, we can work up a comprehensive, strategic approach to speed and traffic-management throughout the city to better respond to growing concerns about speeding in neighborhoods.”
A separate $50,000 grant recently was awarded by the commonwealth of Massachusetts Community Compact “Best Practices” program.
Garcia applied for the grant to bring about a plan or policy that, he said, “fosters safer vehicle speeds on neighborhood streets frequented by pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users.”
“We sought these grants,” Garcia said, “In response to ongoing concerns raised by the public regarding speeding in neighborhoods. My intent is to put together a stakeholder task force that will work with a consultant over a period of months to develop a speed-management plan that supports safe, comfortable, convenient travel for everyone whether in a car, on a bicycle, on foot, in a stroller, taking public transit, or using an assistive-mobility device.”
Holyoke Ward 4 City Councilor Kocayne Givner, who has made pedestrian safety and responsible driving priority issues, will chair the Task Force.
Givner talked more about the driving problems she sees in the city and how this task force will help.
She said, “We have a speeding issue in this city. I have distributed speed-calming lawn signs and even worked with others on a traffic pledge. Stop signs and speed humps have been added throughout Holyoke, but none of this is enough. What we really need is a comprehensive action plan from community members. The Garcia administration has secured funding to allow us to finally tackle these issues. I look forward to the formation of our Traffic Task Force which will collaborate with residents, the Holyoke Police Department and other city departments to come up with traffic-calming initiatives including pedestrian, bike, and motor vehicle safety.”
Holyoke citizens interested in participating in the Task Force can apply by contacting the mayor’s office at 413-561-1600 or fays@holyoke.org.
