WHITE PLAINS, NY (June 4, 2025) — Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins announced a $15 million funding initiative for the Complete Streets Municipal Assistance Program, aimed at enhancing safety and accessibility on municipal roadways. The program will cover up to 50% of project costs for initiatives like sidewalks, bicycle lanes, bus lanes, crossing opportunities, accessible pedestrian signals, curb extensions, and streetscape improvements.
WATCH: New Rochelle Mayor Ramos and City Manager Wil Melendez stumble through a press conference alongside Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins at “our beloved” Quaker Ridge Road to discuss the county’s newly introduced Complete Streets program. Yadira says nearby Ward School Is among the largest In Westchester serving “one thousand babies”.
“We are thrilled to have been able to allocate $15 million dollars in funding in our Capital Budget to implement the Complete Streets Municipal Assistance Program,” Jenkins said. “Complete Streets is an approach to planning, designing and building streets that prioritizes the needs of all road users, including the most vulnerable, like pedestrians and cyclists.”
The program targets safe mobility for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities. Municipalities can apply for funding to support design and construction or construction-only projects, with applications available on the Westchester County Planning Department website. The deadline for submissions is September 19, 2025.
Commissioner of Planning Blanca Lopez highlighted the program’s roots in community feedback. “Senior staff at the Planning Department spent significant time in 2024 speaking with municipalities about their community initiatives and goals, and the implementation of Complete Streets policies was a common thread among many of them,” Lopez said. “This funding opportunity will play a crucial role in ensuring that Complete Streets infrastructure across the County is consistent.”
New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert emphasized the local impact, particularly on Quaker Ridge Road, near Ward Elementary and Albert Leonard Middle School, where nearly 3,000 children traverse daily. “This kind of funding will only do so much to improve the everyday lives of residents,” Ramos-Herbert said. “We’re grateful to Westchester County for the opportunity to apply for funds to advance critical projects like Complete Streets.”
Westchester County Planning Board Member and Tarrytown Trustee David Kim underscored the program’s focus on vulnerable road users.
“As a father of two school-age kids and a caregiver to an aging mother, it is very important to me that they have the independence and feel safe to get around on their own,” Kim said. “This program aims to help our communities undertake important changes to our streets.”
The county will host four virtual information sessions on June 12 at 11 a.m., June 23 at 1 p.m., July 1 at 11 a.m., and July 15 at 1 p.m. Municipalities are encouraged to register by contacting Stephen Courage, Associate Transportation Planner, at sace@westchestercountyny.gov or 914-995-1622.
Watch the news conference here:
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.