Bauer congratulates the Michiana Area Council of Governments, recipient of $500,000 infrastructure grant

State Rep. Maureen Bauer (D-South Bend) congratulates the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG) on receiving $500,000 in infrastructure funding through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program to create a comprehensive safety action plan. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that 510 communities were awarded SS4A grant funding, made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, intended to improve roads and address traffic fatalities.

“With traffic fatalities on the rise both in Indiana and across the nation, this historic investment in promoting safe streets and roads in our local community is much needed,” Bauer said. “Every effort to create safer and more accessible neighborhoods, including safer school and construction zones for Hoosier students and workers, better sidewalks and crosswalks for pedestrians, and safe bicycle paths for cyclists, helps keep our community connected and provide families with the peace of mind in knowing that their loved one will make it home safely from their daily commute,” Bauer said.

“Between 2016-2020, the Michiana area reported 67 traffic fatalities. Establishing a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan will allow us to identify areas of concern and concentrate efforts toward a goal of reducing fatal and serious crashes on our roads and streets. This effort, however, also requires the commitment of the public to drive responsibly on our roads, obey speed limits, and remove distractions while driving. Only then will we see real incremental change in these statistics.”

“I am grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for making this investment in the Michiana area, and for helping us make our home a better and safer place for all.”