Rep. Nancy Mace Supports $140,000 Federal Grant To Improve Pedestrian Safety In Downtown Charleston
Safe Streets for All Grant to Fund Innovative Quick-Build Curb Extension Project at Six Downtown Intersections
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Mar. 9, 2026) — Congresswoman Nancy Mace today announced the City of Charleston has been awarded a $140,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All Program (SS4A) to improve pedestrian safety in downtown Charleston.
Rep. Mace’s office wrote a letter of support to Secretary Sean Duffy in support of the City's grant application, citing Charleston's rapid population growth and pressing need for safer street infrastructure.
“Charleston is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and our infrastructure must keep pace,” said Congresswoman Mace. “This grant is a commonsense investment which will make our streets safer for pedestrians, help calm traffic in busy areas, and give the City the real data it needs to plan smarter for the future. Supporting smart, effective infrastructure which keeps our communities safe and thriving will always be a top priority.”
Katie Zimmerman, Executive Director of Charleston Moves, provided the following statement expressing strong support for the project:
“We appreciate the attention to safety and accessibility for people who live in, work in, and visit the Charleston peninsula, and trust that through prioritizing vulnerable road users in quick-build, data-oriented projects, our decision-makers can reknit communities, improve functionality, and provide space for people to safely meet their needs by any mode they choose,” said Zimmerman.
The grant will fund the installation and evaluation of temporary "quick-build" curb extensions at six intersections in downtown Charleston, a new technique for the city.
Through the project, the City will gather data on vehicle speeds, traffic volumes, driver yielding behavior, pedestrian activity, and public perception, with results directly shaping Charleston's draft Safety Action Plan and serving as a blueprint for affordable, effective street design improvements.
South Carolina's growth makes investments like this one more critical than ever. The state ranked as the fastest-growing in the nation between 2024 and 2025, adding nearly 80,000 new residents according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
SEE LETTER HERE:
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