HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - The City of Holyoke has received over $200,000 in federal and state grants to address speeding concerns. Holyoke exhibit highlights Latinx transgender voices The grants, which total $247,850, will help to fund the preparation of a comprehensive speed-management plan to help make the streets of Holyoke safer, according to the city of Holyoke. One of the larger grants, totaling $197,850 came from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Safe Streets 4 All” program and has been distributed to local, regional, and tribal communities to improve roadway safety and prevent deaths and serious injuries on rural and urban roads. A separate smaller grant of $50,000 was awarded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Community Compact “Best Practices” program. The city applied for this grant to bring about a plan or policy that, “fosters safer vehicle speeds on neighborhood streets frequented by pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users,” said Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia. “This is extremely good news and great timing,” said Mayor Garcia. “With this funding, we can work up a comprehensive, strategic approach to speed- and traffic management throughout the City to better respond to growing concerns about speeding in neighborhoods.” “We sought these grants,” Garcia said, “in response to ongoing concerns raised by the public regarding speeding in neighborhoods. My intent is to put together a stakeholder task force that will work with a consultant over a period of months to develop a speed-management plan that supports safe, comfortable, convenient travel for everyone — whether in a car, on a bicycle, on foot, in a stroller, taking public transit, or using an assistive-mobility device.” “We have a speeding issue in this city,” said Holyoke Ward 4 City Councilor Kocayne S. Givner, who will chair the Task Force. “I have distributed speed-calming lawn signs and even worked with others on a traffic pledge. Stop signs and speed humps have been added throughout Holyoke, but none of this is enough. What we really need is a comprehensive action plan from community members. The Garcia Administration has secured funding to allow us to finally tackle these issues. I look forward to the formation of our Traffic Task Force which will collaborate with residents, the Holyoke Police Department, and other city departments to come up with traffic-calming initiatives including pedestrian, bike, and motor vehicle safety! The city will be working with MassDOT to reconstruct roads and install dedicated bike lanes. The speed management plan may take several years to complete. Anyone interested in participating in the Task Force can apply by contacting the Mayor’s Office at 413-561-1600 or [email protected]. Local News Headlines Rabies suspected in raccoons in Northampton, Easthampton Local schools see increase in respiratory illnesses One person dies in Greenfield house fire on Silver Street PetSmart Charities helps to improve accessible veterinary care at Dakin Humane Society WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.