ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Annual grant funds to improve safety on Northwest Missouri roads are now available for regional transportation safety programs from the Northwest Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety. 

This is the seventh year the funds have been available for interested applicants as part of the Coalition’s effort to reduce injuries and fatalities on roadways in Northwest Missouri’s 20 counties. 

“We’re working towards zero fatalities on Northwest Missouri roadways,” Chair of the Coalition’s Northwest Region Marcia Johnson said. “We’ve made great strides in that department, but we have a long way to go. By funding projects at some of the great agencies and organizations around our region, we’re able to help them complete traffic safety programs that may otherwise have to be shelved due to lack of funding.” 

Organizations eligible to apply for these funds include schools, community groups, law enforcement, health departments, and others. 

Online grant applications are available here. Completed applications are due by the close of business on Friday, September 16, 2016, with award announcements following soon thereafter. All awarded funds must be spent by June 15, 2017.

To be eligible for the grants, programs must address at least one of the Blueprint-identified emphasis areas including serious crash types, high-risk drivers and occupants, special vehicles, vulnerable roadway users, and special roadway environments. The more widespread the impact the program has, and the longer it lasts, the better chance it has to receive some of the limited funds. Further information on these emphasis areas is available in the Blueprint for Safer Roadways available for download here.

For more information, contact the Missouri Department of Transportation at 888-ASK MODOT (888-275-6636) or your local regional planning commission, as noted on the application.