59 communities across British Columbia (BC), including a number of rural, remote, and Indigenous communities, have received funding to implement various road safety projects. In total, over $1 million in funding was disbursed through the 2023/2024 BC Vision Zero in Road Safety for Vulnerable Road Users Grant Program.
The Program is provided by the BC Ministry of Health and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. The BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit coordinates the administration of the Program with the BC Government and regional health authorities.
Of the funded projects, 20 will be carried out in Indigenous communities through a dedicated grant stream in the program that enables Indigenous communities and governments to set and direct their own road safety priorities. Projects include improving crosswalk infrastructure, installing traffic calming interventions, speed limit reduction pilots, speed reader boards, improved lighting, road safety planning and many more.
The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure contributed $600,000 in base grant funding, with the health authorities providing financial top-ups to maximize the number of projects funded. Organizations can receive up to $20,000 per project.
This is the second year Vision Zero grant funding has been provided province-wide. In its inaugural year, a total of $564,147 was awarded to 32 communities. The Grant Program was established with the goal of generating immediate and long-term injury reduction benefits for vulnerable road users, especially in underserved populations. It will also help to advance the implementation of innovative, technology-driven, proven and low-cost road safety crash countermeasures.
Read the BC Government News Release.
View current and past funded projects at visionzerobc.ca.