The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded the City of New Braunfels a $700,000 grant through the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant program to fund the completion of a citywide right-of-way assessment. That study is part of the City’s efforts to provide comprehensive and fully accessible pedestrian facilities in order to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The City is in the process of completing an ADA Transition Plan, which includes a citywide assessment of pedestrian facilities along public roads, in public parks, and all public-facing government building sites, which will identify barriers to access or safety concerns for people living with disabilities. This additional grant funding will allow the City to more quickly complete the assessment.
The USDOT Safe Streets for All grant is funding 80% of the $825,000 citywide right-of-way assessment, with $700,000 in funds from the federal government while the City funds the additional 20%, or $125,000.
“This grant funding means the City of New Braunfels can complete this part of the transition plan, which will expedite the process of prioritizing future pedestrian projects,” said Transportation and Capital Improvements Director Garry Ford. “Getting this portion of the transition plan completed also allows the City to better budget for the necessary improvements to ensure ADA compliance within the public right of way. This includes curbs, sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian signals along public roads, in public parks, and around public buildings and other public facilities.”
The citywide right-of-way assessments will begin after the agreement documents with USDOT are finalized and a consultant is selected. For more information about the City of New Braunfels ADA Transition Plan or to request an ADA Accommodation, visit www.newbraunfels.gov/ada.