Budzinski announces $215,152 to improve pedestrian safety in downtown Alton

Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) recently announced that the City of Alton will receive a $215,152 federal grant from the Department of Transportation to implement safety improvements for pedestrians. The award is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – which was signed into law three years ago today – and will support Alton’s ongoing commitment to build a safer and more walkable downtown.

“Safer streets mean a more connected community and today, we’re helping to make that a reality for the people of Alton,” said Budzinski. “On its third anniversary, the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver for Central and Southern Illinois with more than $215,000 for Alton to make its downtown safer and more walkable. I’m excited to see this project come to fruition and to keep working to secure critical infrastructure investments for the folks I serve in Alton and across the 13th District.”

Alton will use this Safe Streets and Roads for All grant to pilot changes that improve pedestrian safety and mitigate dangerous crashes by reducing pedestrian crossing distances, improving visibility, making turns safer and lowering vehicle speeds. The pilot program will explore reducing the number of travel lanes on Piasa Street from four to three, with a safety buffer on each side. Pedestrian safety enhancements will be the focus on three intersections along the corridor.

The city of Alton aims to transform its downtown into a vibrant and livable destination by reconnecting public assets, enhancing the city’s resilience, and improving safety and connectivity.

The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant was applied for with support from East-West Gateway as part of a previous grant award geared toward implementing the Alton Great Streets plan.  The award is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

According to East-West Gateway’s Regional Safety Plan, Piasa St. ranks in the top 25% of crashes on the regional High-Injury Network, with speed and failure to yield as primary contributing factors. The demonstration project will focus on this area, and the city will work with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to explore a temporary reduction of travel lanes from four to three. This reconfiguration will introduce buffers on either side of the street. Several intersections will also be studied and considered for pedestrian safety enhancements, ensuring that all residents and visitors can navigate the area safely.

The primary goals of the pilot include reducing pedestrian crossing distances, improving visibility, slowing vehicular speeds, and ultimately decreasing the number of crashes that result in fatalities and injuries. This project reflects the city’s ongoing efforts to prioritize the safety of all road users, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Unlike traditional construction projects, the demonstration project will not involve permanent roadway reconstruction. Instead, it will rely on low-cost traffic control devices such as signage, paint, temporary tape, and plastic delineator posts to test the effectiveness of the proposed safety enhancements. By collecting pre- and post-demonstration data, the city will assess the impact of the temporary adjustments and use these findings to inform potential long-term solutions.

“Alton is committed to enhancing the safety and well-being of our residents,” said Alton Mayor David Goins. “The SS4A grant award gives us an opportunity to pilot proven safety measures that, if successful, could become a part of the permanent streetscape.”

The City of Alton will continue to engage the community throughout the life of the pilot. Regular updates will be provided through public meetings, intercept surveys, interviews, and social media outreach. “We look forward to working with our partners to carry out this demonstration,” said Andi Campbell Yancey, deputy director of Planning & Development. “Community input will play a key role in shaping the project as well as next steps.”

For more information on the demonstration project and the SS4A grant, contact Andi Campbell Yancey with the city’s Planning & Development Department.