Pottawattamie County receives $19.9 million federal grant for roadway safety improvements

 AREA—Pottawattamie County has secured $19.9 million in federal funding to improve roadway and pedestrian safety, marking a major investment in transportation infrastructure throughout the county.
The award, announced Oct. 30 through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program, is the largest grant awarded in Iowa during the 2026 funding cycle and the fifth-largest nationwide among nearly 300 recipients.
The funding will support the Old Lincoln Highway Corridor Safety Project, a nearly $25 million initiative targeting one of the county’s highest-risk roadways while also providing resources for pedestrian safety improvements in smaller communities.
“This is an incredible opportunity to make meaningful, lasting improvements to roadway safety in Pottawattamie County,” said County Engineer Andy Wicks. “The Board of Supervisors has made roadway safety a priority, and securing this funding allows us to turn that commitment into action.”
The primary focus of the project is an 11.6-mile stretch of Old Lincoln Highway between Sumac Road near Honey Creek and Coit Road near the Council Bluffs city limits, including the section that runs through Crescent.
The corridor was identified as one of the county’s highest-risk roadways in its comprehensive Safety Action Plan, completed in 2025. Between 2019 and 2023, the stretch experienced 121 crashes, including four fatal crashes and eight that resulted in serious injuries.
Nearly half of the crashes involved vehicles leaving the roadway, underscoring the need for improvements to roadway alignment, shoulders, visibility and roadside conditions.
Planned improvements include reconstructing and reconfiguring portions of the highway to improve curves and roadway geometry, adding extended paved shoulders, installing centerline and edge-line rumble strips, upgrading pavement markings and signage, and addressing roadside hazards.
Improvements are also planned through Crescent, where the highway transitions from a rural roadway into a more developed community. The county will coordinate with city officials on the design and construction of that section.
According to the county’s Safety Action Plan, the proposed improvements are expected to prevent approximately 10 crashes annually, including an estimated one fatal or serious-injury crash each year. The improvements are also projected to avoid more than $5.6 million in annual societal costs associated with crashes.
The federal grant will also support pedestrian safety efforts in smaller communities throughout Pottawattamie County.
The project includes engineering studies and planning for rectangular rapid flashing beacons, commonly known as RRFBs. These pedestrian-activated warning devices use flashing lights to alert motorists when someone is crossing the street.
Preliminary locations identified for evaluation include Avoca, Crescent, Neola, Oakland, Treynor, Underwood and Walnut.
Final locations and improvements will be determined through engineering evaluations and coordination with the participating communities.
The $19.9 million federal award will cover 80% of the project’s total estimated cost of $24.875 million. Pottawattamie County will provide the remaining $4.975 million through its Secondary Roads operating budget.
The funding comes through the SS4A Implementation Grant program, which provides federal assistance for projects designed to address identified roadway safety risks. Unlike planning grants, implementation grants help communities move forward with actual infrastructure improvements.
The award builds on the county’s previously completed Safety Action Plan, which used crash data, roadway conditions and community input to identify areas where improvements could have the greatest impact.
Project development is expected to take place over the next several years, beginning with execution of the grant agreement, engineering and design work, environmental reviews and additional studies.
Construction could begin as early as 2029 and continue through 2031, depending on final designs, required approvals and project scheduling.
Throughout the process, county officials plan to coordinate with residents, affected property owners, local communities and regional transportation partners to provide information, gather input and minimize disruptions.
“This investment represents an important step forward in our ongoing commitment to safer roads,” Wicks said. “By combining federal resources with local investment and working alongside our communities, we can make improvements that will benefit residents and travelers for generations to come.”
Additional information about the Safe Streets and Roads for All program and the 2026 grant awards is available at www.transportation.gov/grants/ss4a/2026-awards.