Tempe Secured Federal Grant for Road Safety
The city accepted funding to improve a three-mile stretch of Baseline Road prone to serious accidents.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Car Types
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Tempe has secured over $15 million in federal funding to enhance safety on Baseline Road. The project targets a three-mile corridor between Hardy Drive and Bala Drive that experienced 340 crashes from 2020 through 2024.
Why it matters
The initiative addresses a high frequency of serious and fatal collisions on the roadway. Officials aim to reduce turning accidents and improve pedestrian safety through infrastructure upgrades.
The project includes over $15 million in federal funding and $3 million from city bond money. It covers a three-mile segment where 13 serious or fatal crashes occurred between 2020 and 2024.
The players
Tempe City Council
This is the primary governing body responsible for legislative decisions and the approval of infrastructure funding for the city.
The details
The city plans to install raised medians to prevent left-turn collisions and widen sidewalks for pedestrians. These improvements will also modernize traffic signals and crosswalks across the project zone.
Timeline
340 crashes occurred on Baseline Road from 2020 through 2024.
Tempe City Council accepted the federal grant in September 2026.
Public feedback collection will begin in the coming months.
The full safety project is scheduled for completion by June 2031.
Roadmap
This project reflects a growing industry shift toward prioritizing traffic calming and pedestrian-first infrastructure in high-traffic urban corridors. By moving away from purely capacity-focused road design, Tempe aligns with broader trends aimed at reducing automotive fatalities through physical design changes.
Residents living near Baseline Road should expect upcoming construction activities and changes to traffic flow patterns as the project progresses. These infrastructure upgrades are designed to enhance safety for all motorists and pedestrians using the corridor.
The takeaway
The city's commitment to these safety upgrades highlights a long-term shift toward reducing road fatalities through deliberate infrastructure design. Residents can influence the final project outcomes by providing input during the upcoming public feedback phase.
Further reading
Learn more about local vehicle infrastructure and safety projects in the Car Types section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by abc15 Arizona.
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