Seneca Nation to Receive $2 Million Federal Grant To Support Street Safety Improvements
Grant will address dangerous intersection on Allegany Territory
ALLEGANY TERRITORY, SALAMANCA, N.Y. – The Seneca Nation will receive $2 million in Federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) funding to address safety concerns at a dangerous intersection on the Allegany Territory. The grant was included in more than $17.9 million in SS4A funding announced by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
The Nation will use the grant to address safety concerns at the Broad Street-R.C. Hoag intersection on the Nation’s Allegany Territory in Salamanca. The intersection is identified in the Seneca Nation Transportation Safety Plan as a primary hazardous location recommended for safety improvement projects across all Seneca Nation territories. The area is located at a hazardous four-road intersection, with traffic moving to and from the nearby I-86 expressway, Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino, and nearby communities.
“We are grateful to Majority Leader Schumer and Senator Gillibrand for supporting the Seneca Nation’s continued efforts to prioritize and ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians on our territories,” said Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong, Sr. “Our Nation’s Department of Transportation did an outstanding job highlighting the need for these critical improvements. The Broad Street-R.C. Hoag Drive intersection currently creates unsafe conditions in a primary area that many people use to access employment, healthcare and other important services. Implementing these needed safety measures will not only protect our people and those visiting our Allegany Territory, it can also lead to increased economic and business activity in the area.”
The Nation aims to eliminate the intersection’s existing routing deficiencies that can lead to vehicle collisions and pedestrian safety concerns. Planned improvements include the construction of a dual-lane roundabout, streetlight upgrades, sidewalk improvements, and pedestrian crossings and signals on all approaches to the intersection in order to provide safe and easy walking access.
“These grants will help improve the safety of our roadways, boost the economy and help save lives by driving forward much needed safety features, stopping accidents before they happen, and laying the foundation for safer streets,” Senator Schumer said in announcing the funding.
“Investing in projects that improve roadway safety is vital to preventing future traffic tragedies in our communities,” Senator Gillibrand added.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established the SS4A discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over five years (2022-2026). The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.
