Star City Mayor Sharon Doyle said sidewalks, crosswalks and lighting – particularly along University Avenue – will be the focus of $200,000 in federal funding announced last week by Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV).
Star City was one of three West Virginia recipients – along with Martinsburg ($552,000) and Belomar Regional Council ($240,000) – tapped to receive assistance in the latest round of funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program.
“Our submission for the grant was to secure funding for new sidewalks along University Avenue to replace the sidewalks that have been deteriorating along there for some time now,” Doyle said. “We also want to look into some potential crosswalks and more lighted areas throughout the town so we can provide safety for our residents and visitors. Of course we know that if we want crosswalks on University Avenue, we’re going to have to work with the state because that’s a state highway.”
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established the Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over five years, 2022-2026. The program funds regional, local and tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway death and serious injuries.
Star City will receive one of the 257 grants totaling $127 million announced Nov. 15 as the third and final round of grants this year. All told, $1.2 billion has been dispersed to some 710 communities across the country in 2024.
Earlier this year, the city of Bluefield was awarded just over $25.5 million for significant infrastructure improvements along U.S. Route 52.
While Star City’s improvements won’t be nearly as extensive, Doyle said they’re needed just the same.
“We, as a small municipality, don’t really carry a budget to do some of these higher-priced improvements, so we’re fortunate to be able to utilize the grant writing process to afford these types of opportunities.”
