Raleigh won more than $10 million in federal grants for crosswalks, sidewalks and safer routes to six schools. The city puts up $2.5 million of its own money.

Raleigh has won more than $10 million in federal grants to make its streets safer. The money will pay for new sidewalks and crosswalks, rebuilt intersections and upgraded traffic lights.

The city announced the grants in a news release Wednesday. The money comes from the 2021 federal infrastructure law, the city said. Raleigh had to match it with $2.5 million in local funds.

The crash numbers behind it

Raleigh had more than 17,000 vehicle crashes in 2025, according to the release. Those crashes injured 6,226 people and killed 38.

The city’s own Safe Streets for All safety plan counts 185 fatal crashes and 905 serious injury crashes from 2019 to 2023. Speeding was involved in more than 54% of fatal crashes, the plan’s summary says.

What the money pays for

The release lists these improvements:

  • high-visibility crosswalks, flashing beacons and accessible curb ramps for people on foot
  • reflectors for traffic lights, with better lighting and reflectivity
  • designs for roadway improvements
  • emergency response support

A separate $1 million will go toward finding where Raleigh’s most serious crashes happen and working out how to prevent them, the city said.

Safer routes to six schools

Part of the money goes to Safe Routes to School work. The city said that covers five projects at six schools. It also pays for:

  • a Safe Routes to School coordinator for four years
  • preliminary engineering and design
  • public education campaigns on speeding, impaired and distracted driving, and seat belt use

The release does not name the schools, the federal grant program or a construction timeline. We will add them here when the city publishes them.

How it fits the city’s plan

City Council adopted the safety plan in April 2026, according to the city’s Vision Zero page. Its goal is to cut fatal and serious injury crashes in half by 2040 and to zero by 2055.

The same page lists the next projects already planned:

  • a new traffic signal at Wakefield Middle and Wakefield High, starting construction in fall 2026
  • signal upgrades and more crosswalks at Atlantic Avenue and Whitaker Mill Road, starting in winter 2027

What it means for you

  • No changes yet on your street. The release gives no start dates, so nothing is under construction from this money today.
  • Report a dangerous spot. The Vision Zero page has a form to share traffic safety concerns with the city.
  • Road work now: current closures and detours are on our Raleigh road work page.