City of Savannah awarded $2 million for roadway safety, Vision Zero efforts

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The City of Savannah has been awarded $2 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program to enhance roadway safety, reduce serious injuries and fatalities, and strengthen data-driven transportation planning citywide, according to a press release WTOC just received.

The grant will support Smart Analytics and Vision Zero Evaluation for Savannah (SAVES): A Digital Platform for Road Safety Audits, a planning and demonstration initiative designed to modernize how the City evaluates traffic safety risks and prioritizes improvements. The total estimated project cost is $2.5 million, with the City providing the required 20 percent local match.

The release states funding will be used to develop a digital emergency services and safety analytics platform, conduct road safety audits on three high-injury network corridors, and produce data products, staff training, and policy recommendations. The project will also update Savannah’s Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (Vision Zero Plan) and identify future safety projects and implementation strategies based on real-world data and scenario testing.

This grant helps us be smarter and more proactive about roadway safety.

By combining better data with real, on-the-ground safety reviews, we can better understand where problems exist and focus our efforts where they will make the biggest difference.

This investment strengthens our Vision Zero work and helps us make Savannah’s streets safer for everyone — whether you’re driving, walking, biking, or responding to an emergency.

Jay Melder, Savannah’s City Manager

The SS4A program is a national initiative aimed at preventing roadway deaths and serious injuries by supporting local governments in developing and implementing comprehensive safety action plans. Savannah’s award includes funding for supplemental planning and demonstration activities, which will directly inform future infrastructure investments and safety strategies.

Data-driven planning is essential to preventing crashes before they happen.

This project will give first responders and City departments better tools to evaluate risk, improve response planning, and focus resources where they can have the greatest impact.

Ultimately, this work helps protect residents, visitors, and those who serve our community every day.

Faye DiMassimo, Chief of Planning and Economic Development

The grant award was publicly announced by USDOT on December 23, 2025. Before work begins, the City of Savannah and the Federal Highway Administration must execute a formal grant agreement. No project costs will be incurred until that agreement is finalized.

Once underway, the SAVES project will produce a final written plan aligned with SS4A requirements and provide actionable guidance for future safety improvements across Savannah.

For more information about Savannah’s Vision Zero efforts and roadway safety initiatives, visit www.savannahga.gov.