Stony Brook Southampton Awarded $1.25M to Advance Campus and Community Roadway Safety

The State University of New York at Stony Brook Southamptonhas been awarded $1.25 million ($1M in federal funds and $250,000 in state matching funds)through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) programto develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan aimed at improving roadway safety on campus and in surrounding communities.

Stony Brook Southampton gratefully acknowledges the formal support of Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Representative Nick LaLota, New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo and former New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele, whose advocacy and letters of support were instrumental in helping secure this highly competitive federal grant.

The Comprehensive Safety Action Plan will focus on reducing traffic-related injuries and fatalities while improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and transit users who travel through and around the Stony Brook campus. Given that campus roadways connect directly to Suffolk County infrastructure, the effort will be developed in close coordination with local and regional partners to support consistent, data-driven safety improvements beyond university boundaries.

"This investment will allow Stony Brook Southampton to take a proactive, collaborative approach to roadway safety that benefits our university community as well as our surrounding neighborhoods," said Andrea Goldsmith, President of Stony Brook University. "We are grateful to our federal and state partners for their strong advocacy and support of this important work."

As part of the initiative, Stony Brook Southampton will establish a long-term framework for improving roadway safety, including clearly defined goals and performance measures to track progress over time. A cross-functional working group, bringing together university stakeholders and community representatives, will guide the planning process and help integrate safety considerations into ongoing campus planning and operations.

The university will conduct a comprehensive review of roadway conditions and available crash data; engage students, faculty, staff and local residents; and develop a prioritized set of short- and long-term safety improvements. Regular public updates will be provided to ensure transparency and accountability as the plan moves forward. The Safe Streets and Roads for All program supports local initiatives nationwide that aim to prevent roadway fatalities and serious injuries, aligning with Stony Brook University's commitment to fostering a safe, accessible and connected campus environment.

Stony Brook's Office of Government and Community Relationsplayed a central role in identifying this grant opportunity and securing the support needed from federal and state leaders to bring it to fruition. More broadly, the office works proactively to connect Stony Brook with government resources, programs and partnerships that advance the university's mission, support research and innovation, and benefit the campus and surrounding communities.