Lexington, SC – The Lexington County Department of Public Works is conducting a project to improve road safety in the county, through a Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant received from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). In order to reduce traffic-related deaths and serious injuries in the county, the project will develop a comprehensive plan for safer walking, biking, and driving in Lexington County.

Fast Facts about Traffic Safety in Lexington County

Since 2017, 400 people have been killed while driving, walking, or bicycling on the streets of Lexington County – more than those who died in violent crimes, natural disasters, and house fires. That’s part of a disturbing pattern of data in South Carolina which has the 2nd highest rate of traffic deaths per 100,000 residents in the country – and the 5th highest rate in America of pedestrian deaths per 100,000 residents.

How the Public Can Get Involved

The crash data only tells part of the story, so the project team is gathering public input to further develop the plan. Lexington County has developed a website that will describe the project in full, in addition to providing ways the public can get involved. To gather input, there will be 6 in-person public input meetings and a website to digitally send input to an online survey and online mapping tool. The website for more information about the project, public meetings, and opportunities to provide input can be found here:

https://lex-co.sc.gov/safestreets

The first 3 in-person public input meetings will occur March 10th, 18th, and 20th, at the following locations:

• March 10, 5-7pm: Lexington County Auxiliary Administration Building, 605 West Main Street, Lexington, SC

• March 18, 5-7pm: Gilbert Gymnasium, 411 Broad Street, Gilbert, SC

• March 20, 5-7pm: Sandhills Middle School, 582 Meadowfield Rd, Gaston, SC

About the Safe Streets for All program

The USDOT’s Safe Streets for All (SS4A) program was established through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) as a discretionary program with appropriated funds over 5 years, 2022-2026. It funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. The SS4A program supports the USDOT National Roadway Safety Strategy and the goal of zero roadway deaths using a Safe System Approach.

https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A