Murfreesboro Wins $8.28 Million Safe Streets Grant: St. Andrews Drive, Veterans Parkway, MTSU Intersections

Murfreesboro has been picked for $8,282,947 from the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All program. With a $2 million city match, the $10.35 million plan pays for signal upgrades, 2.8 miles of traffic calming on St. Andrews Drive, a pedestrian beacon on Veterans Parkway near Barfield Crescent Park and a near-miss camera study at four intersections near MTSU.

The City of Murfreesboro has been selected to receive $8,282,947 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Fiscal Year 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program, the city announced Nov. 4, 2026. Combined with a $2 million local match, the project totals $10,353,685 in safety improvements aimed at reducing serious crashes.

The money goes to six projects drawn from the city's adopted Safety Action Plan, all on corridors in what the city calls its high-injury roadway network.

"Every one of these improvements is focused on preventing tragedies before they happen," Mayor Shane McFarland said in the city's announcement.

What will the Safe Streets grant pay for?

The city lists these projects:

• Traffic signal safety upgrades at key intersections
• Traffic calming along 2.8 miles of Saint Andrews Drive
• A pedestrian hybrid beacon on Veterans Parkway near Barfield Crescent Park
• A citywide roadway safety public outreach campaign
• A Pavement Management Plan that builds in roadway safety
• A near-miss demonstration project at signalized intersections near Middle Tennessee State University

The grant also covers enhanced post-crash care, including blood supply improvements for Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department.

The city says the infrastructure work will use Federal Highway Administration proven safety countermeasures, such as flashing yellow arrows, retroreflective signal backplates, upgraded roadway lighting and detection systems, pedestrian accessibility upgrades and corridor-wide speed management.

How is the money split?

Of the $8,282,947 federal award, $8,216,591 is implementation funding and $66,356 is for supplemental planning and demonstration activities. The city's $2 million match brings the total to $10,353,685.

What is the near-miss project near MTSU?

The city says camera-based technology will watch for conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians at four signalized intersections near MTSU. The goal is to spot hazards and make low-cost fixes before a serious crash happens. The city has not named the four intersections.

How many crashes does Murfreesboro have?

According to the city's grant application, Murfreesboro recorded 26,023 crashes from 2020 through 2024, including 38 fatal crashes and 331 serious-injury crashes. Eighty signalized intersections on the selected high-injury corridors accounted for 5,582 of those crashes, including nine fatal and 65 serious-injury crashes.

When will the work start?

No construction dates have been announced. The city must first negotiate and sign a grant agreement with the Federal Highway Administration before the federal money can be obligated. Under federal rules, costs incurred before that agreement is signed cannot be reimbursed or counted toward the local match.

The work will fall under Jim Kerr, who the city promoted in August from director of transportation to executive director of public infrastructure, replacing the retiring Chris Griffith.

Other Murfreesboro road projects

The grant joins other work around town, including the North Thompson Lane widening, new signals on Broad Street and the WeGo park and ride for Route 84. The new Veterans Parkway beacon will sit near Barfield Crescent Park, and more on city government is in the Murfreesboro City Hall guide. The MTSU study fits alongside the MTSU guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is Murfreesboro's Safe Streets grant?

The federal award is $8,282,947. With the city's $2 million match, the project totals $10,353,685.

Which streets are getting safety upgrades?

The named projects include traffic calming on 2.8 miles of Saint Andrews Drive, a pedestrian hybrid beacon on Veterans Parkway near Barfield Crescent Park, signal upgrades at key intersections and a near-miss study at four signalized intersections near MTSU.

What is a pedestrian hybrid beacon?

It is a signal that stays dark until a pedestrian pushes the button, then flashes and turns red so drivers stop while people cross. The city lists one for Veterans Parkway near Barfield Crescent Park.

When will the Safe Streets projects be built?

The city has not given dates. It must sign a grant agreement with the Federal Highway Administration first.

What is Safe Streets and Roads for All?

SS4A is a U.S. Department of Transportation grant program for local projects that prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. Murfreesboro's award is from the Fiscal Year 2026 round.

Sources: City of Murfreesboro news release, Nov. 4, 2026.

*AI-generated illustration.*