Local Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Fiscal Year 2027 Local Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), aimed at enhancing roadway safety across Illinois' local transportation networks. As part of the development of the FY2027–2032 Multi-Year Highway Improvement Program, IDOT will allocate $32.75 million to fund eligible safety improvement projects submitted by local public agencies. This initiative acknowledges that approximately 50% of the state’s fatal and serious injury crashes occur on the local highway system, underscoring the importance of local-level investment to achieve the state’s safety objectives. HSIP funding supports efforts to significantly reduce fatalities and serious injuries on public roads through data-driven, strategic infrastructure improvements. This opportunity builds upon the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which broadened HSIP eligibility and reinforced the national "moving toward zero" fatality initiative. Proposed projects must include a strong, evidence-based rationale that clearly identifies the safety issue being addressed, along with the countermeasures proposed. Eligible strategies may include systemic improvements such as signage, pavement markings, rumble strips, guardrails, high friction surfaces, and retro-reflectivity enhancements. High Risk Rural Road (HRRR) and Vulnerable Road User (VRU) safety improvements will be prioritized. HRRR projects target rural local and collector roads in counties with rising rural road fatality rates, while VRU initiatives focus on enhancing pedestrian and bicyclist safety in areas where VRU fatalities comprise at least 15% of total crash fatalities. IDOT is currently under both HRRR and VRU penalties, requiring a portion of HSIP funds be directed to these project types. Additional emphasis will be placed on projects aligned with the 2022 Illinois Strategic Highway Safety Plan, including hazardous intersections and roadway departures. The federal share for each project will cover up to 90% of the total eligible project costs, with local agencies responsible for a 10% match and any non-participating costs. While all project phases are eligible—preliminary engineering, design, construction, and construction engineering—right-of-way costs are generally ineligible. Each funded project must obligate its HSIP funds within two years of award notification or risk rescission. Projects involving other funding sources are also encouraged, particularly when those sources address non-safety elements. Applications must be submitted electronically by 5:00 PM CT on Friday, June 20, 2025. Required documents include a cover letter, completed Local Roads and Streets (LRS) Grant application, HSIP proposal form, benefit-to-cost ratio calculation, five-year crash data, maps, photos, project timeline, narrative summary, risk assessment, and a conflict of interest form. Templates and guidance are available on the HSIP website, including examples of past successful applications. The application process also includes updated Safety Tiers to help prioritize projects based on crash history and roadway characteristics. To assist applicants, IDOT will host a webinar on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 10:00 AM. For help accessing tools such as the Run-Off the Road Initiative (RORI) or Safety Tiers, applicants should contact the Safety Portal Help Desk. Questions on project eligibility and data can be directed to Tim Peters at Tim.Peters@illinois.gov, while application-specific inquiries may be addressed to Melinda Kos at Melinda.Kos@illinois.gov.

Use crash data from the most recent 5-year period. Utilize Safety Tiers and RORI tools. Refer to past successful applications on the HSIP website.