FRANKFORT, Ind. - The City of Frankfort is looking to improve roadway safety and eliminate deadly crashes with the help of a new federal grant. The city announced it received a $200,000 "Safe Streets for All" grant from the Federal Highway Administration, which will be used to develop a comprehensive safety plan. The federal grant program focuses on efforts to prevent traffic fatalities and serious injuries. 465 reopens on NE side after lengthy closure "It’s a safety-driven grant," described City of Frankfort Street Department Superintendent Jason Forsythe. "Obviously, we’re all concerned about safety." The Frankfort Street Department has been working on roadway upgrades long before receiving this federal support. Over the years, Forsythe has often been reminded of the time a young student was hit and killed back in 2012. "He was walking home from the YMCA," he recalled. "It was dark. No sidewalks. And he got struck and that’s been something that’s pushed me since day one." There have been 17 deadly crashes in Frankfort between 2017 and 2021. The Frankfort Police Department also reports there have not been any deadly crashes so far this year. There are more sidewalks now than there were in 2012. Even so, Forsythe said there is still work to be done. "It’s something we need to work through every chance we get," he said. That is why the city hopes to use this money to conduct a thorough safety analysis of its transportation system, identify high-risk locations and develop strategies to improve safety for all road users. "It generates a safety plan," Forsythe said. "And not just for now, but the future, which is something we’ve been working on; a 30-year comprehensive plan here in the city." Forsythe said that is especially important as the city continues to add more homes, more people and more traffic. This is exactly why local drivers think this is a step in the right direction. "I think what they’re doing now is great," said Lindsey Harper, who lives in Frankfort. "And if they can keep building upon that, then I’m all for it." Forsythe said the city continues to focus on heavily traveled roadways, especially those near schools. This is particularly important for parents like Harper who said sidewalks are crucial. Rideshare apps hope to improve safety for Indy drivers "I think they’ve already been trying to implement some of those and get them started, but if we can keep building on that and adding more to keep the kids safe, yeah," she said. The Frankfort Street Department said this grant will help put the city one step ahead and help it qualify for even larger federal funding in the future. That includes a $7 million grant the city is applying for to make major upgrades to Maish Road, which is one of the busier streets in the area.