Pine Haven Council investigates road work grants

HDR Engineering’s Mike Oakley recently discussed the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant (SS4A) now available from the US Department of Transportation as another possible funding source for road work.

According to Oakley, transportation projects are notoriously difficult to fund in Wyoming: “It’s easier to find funding for water and sewer than it is for street repair.”

This grant was started in 2022 with $5billion available and, according to WYDOT, still has approximately $3billion to distribute until the program’s end in 2026. The engineer informed the Pine Haven council of the possible funding for planning and later implementation.

“You cannot get implementation money without first having a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan,” he said. Applicants identify projects that increase the safety of the community and set them into this plan.

This is a 20% matching grant so, if the town seeks $200,000, the match needed will be $40,000. According to Oakley, there are available sources to assist with the $40,00 as well.

Oakley explained that the government has been setting in place assistant programs to help communities to fund the requisite matches for needed grants, “So, if you were to apply for the SS4A grant, you can apply to get the $40,000…so it would be at no cost to the community.”

Mayor Karla Brandenburg asked the engineers for their expert advice on what applicable projects the town could add to the plan. The answer was broad, from lighting to anything to help first responders.

“That plan would help identify steps the community might want to take,” said Oakley.

The council voiced their appreciation of this option and plan to move forward with an application. The end date for this cycle is Thursday, August 29 and to have everything in place before the end date will cost the town around $1000, according to Oakley, and the possible funding for the match can be sought later.