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How safety projects get funded

Most street safety projects are paid for with grants. Knowing the grant calendar tells you when your letter can make the biggest difference.

This page is a draft. Every fact links to its source, so you can check it yourself.

Cities and counties rarely pay for a big safety project out of their own budget. They apply for grants. Grants reward projects with crash data, a clear plan and community support. That is where you come in.

The main programs

Active Transportation Program (ATP), state

California's main grant for walking and biking projects, run by the California Transportation Commission (CTC). (CTC, ATP)

• Money is split: 50% statewide competition, 10% for small urban and rural areas, and 40% to big regional agencies like SACOG. (2027 ATP Guidelines)
• Current cycle: 2027 ATP (Cycle 8). Applications were due June 22, 2026. Statewide staff recommendations are due November 2, 2026, and the CTC is scheduled to adopt the statewide program on December 3-4, 2026. (2027 ATP Guidelines)
• Projects that miss the statewide cut can still be picked in the regional (MPO) part. Final MPO lists are due April 23, 2027, with CTC adoption in June 2027. (2027 ATP Guidelines)

SACOG regional funding

SACOG (Sacramento Area Council of Governments) is the regional planning agency. It picks projects for the regional (MPO) part of the ATP and runs its own funding rounds. The 2027 ATP fund estimate sets aside about $17.3 million over four years (2027-28 to 2030-31) for the SACOG region's share. (CTC, 2027 ATP Fund Estimate)

• SACOG ran a 2026 federal funding cycle for projects to be funded in federal fiscal years 2027-28 through 2029-30. Scoring rewards projects tied to SACOG's 2025 Blueprint and its Green Means Go and Mobility Zones programs. (Sacramento Transportation Authority guidance, April 2026)
• SACOG's regional ATP for the 2027 cycle: StreetCase could not confirm the exact dates from SACOG's own site. Check SACOG's Regional ATP page for deadlines and board dates.

Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), federal through Caltrans

A federal program to cut deaths and serious injuries on all public roads. California's local HSIP funds projects with proven crash reduction factors, picked using crash history and other data. Only cities, counties and tribal governments can apply. (Caltrans HSIP)

• Cycle 13 opened July 1, 2026. Applications are due November 2, 2026. (Caltrans, Cycle 13 call)
• HSIP is very data driven. A StreetCase report with crash history and FHWA crash reduction figures speaks the same language.

Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A), federal

A US DOT grant for safety action plans and projects aimed at zero roadway deaths. Cities, counties, regional agencies like SACOG, and tribes can apply. (US DOT, SS4A)

• Congress set aside $5 billion for 2022 through 2026. Awards for FY22 to FY25 totaled $3.9 billion to over 2,000 communities.
• The FY2026 round closed May 26, 2026. Future rounds depend on new federal law.

(US DOT, SS4A, page updated May 27, 2026)

Why plans matter

Grant scoring often asks whether a project is in an adopted plan. Two local examples:

• Sacramento County Local Road Safety Plan (2022) for unincorporated areas. It lists high-crash segments and sets a goal of 50% fewer fatal and severe pedestrian and bike crashes by 2035. (SacDOT)
• City of Sacramento Vision Zero Action Plan (2018, now being updated), which names a high injury network. (City of Sacramento)

If your street is in a plan, say so in your letter. If it is not, ask for it to be added in the next update.

How you can help a project get funded

1. Ask early. Projects are picked months before deadlines. Ask your city or county which streets they plan to submit next cycle.
2. Send data. Attach your StreetCase report. Crash history is the core of HSIP and a big part of ATP scoring.
3. Write a support letter. Grant applications often include letters from residents, schools and businesses. Offer one.
4. Show up. Speak at the council or Board of Supervisors meeting when the grant application is approved.

Last checked 2026-11-02.

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