​Funds Administered by Federal Highway Administration, Distributed by MDOT SHA

(March 7, 2022) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is soliciting proposals from Maryland counties and local jurisdictions for 2022 Federal Highway Safety Improvement (HSIP) grants. MDOT SHA is accepting applications through May 15 and anticipates notifying award recipients in September.   

The HSIP is administered by the Federal Highway Administration, and is a core federal-aid program focused on improving safety on public roads. The program’s goal is to assist safety improvement projects that have a strong likelihood of significantly reducing fatalities and serious injuries, and advance Maryland’s roadway safety mission.    

“Federal HSIP funds are an essential part of our safety toolbox and are instrumental in helping to significantly reduce serious crashes on public highways,” said MDOT SHA Administrator Tim Smith. “I strongly encourage eligible Maryland counties and municipalities to apply and help make Maryland’s transportation network safer and more accessible for all users.”   

Maryland counties or municipalities must have a Local Road Safety Plan to be eligible for HSIP funding. Counties and local jurisdictions are required to match 10% of the prospective project’s cost. HSIP funds will cover the remaining 90% of the total project cost.    

Criteria to determine eligibility for projects include identification of an issue or problem area based on tangible systemwide data and characteristics and common factors present in severe crashes, as well as a focus on widespread deployment of one or more low-cost countermeasures. Potential locations for safety improvements should be identified and prioritized throughout the roadway network for implementation.    

Some examples of projects ideal for HSIP funds include installation of road signing, lane striping and rumble strips. There is no upper limit or threshold on HSIP funding allocated to a given jurisdiction or project. In 2021, three HSIP projects in Maryland were approved, with a total cost over $1 million. These included pedestrian crossing improvements in  Montgomery County, raised crosswalks at trail crossings in Baltimore County and pedestrian beacons and other improvements near a school in Cecil County. More local HSIP projects and funds are expected in 2022. For additional details on the HSIP, visit https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/hsip/. 

For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, go to Project Portal. Visit our homepage at roads.maryland.gov. For a look at real-time traffic conditions, go to md511.maryland.gov.

Editor’s Note

From intersection improvements to widening and new interchange construction, MDOT SHA is investing in projects to enhance the commute and daily travel for millions of Marylanders.  MDOT SHA maintains more than 2,500 bridges and 17,000 miles of non-toll state roads – the interstate, US and state numbered routes in Maryland’s 23 counties.