CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The City of Clarksville announced on Thursday morning they have secured a five-year, $8 million grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation that will help build up infrastructure at four key roadways, including Providence Boulevard.

At the request of the administration of Mayor Joe Pitts, the funds will be used to improve Kraft Street, Riverside Drive, Fort Campbell Boulevard, in addition to Providence, according to a city news release.

“This is truly a dream realized, for our city and the safety of the people traveling our streets,” said Pitts in the release. He said the funding will help pay for construction to address vital safety concerns for pedestrians and motorists in north Clarksville.

“It didn’t come easily. Our internal SS4A team led by Lauren Winters, city grants director, worked very hard to meet all of the federal requirements for earning this major grant award,” Pitts said.

Total cost and details

The total project cost is estimated to be around $10 million. With the grant accounting for 80% of the funding, the City is responsible for matching up to 20%, the release said.

With the city experiencing a high number of fatal and serious-injury crashes in these areas, caused by high vehicle speeds and lack of safe pedestrian facilities, the project will focus on intersection improvements, sidewalk installation, traffic signalization and pedestrian facilities.

“This grant award is a huge win for our community. Not only are we making our roads safer for all, we’re bringing in a large amount of federal funding to help offset the costs associated with those safety improvements,” Winters said in the release.

The projects are part of the much-broader citywide Transportation 2020+ master plan for highway and road improvements, better intersections, improved traffic signalization, and more neighborhood sidewalks. To view the full master plan, visit https://www.clarksvilletn.gov/1043/Transportation-2020