Wareham received $500,000 to improve travel for pedestrians, bicyclists and public transit users, according to a Nov. 4 announcement from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

The grant will enable the Town of Wareham to construct new Americans with Disabilities Act compliant ramps along Main Street and Onset Avenue and modify existing curbs to meet the acts requirements. Money from the grant will also be used to install speed feedback signs, which provide drivers a digital display of their speed and rapid rectangular flashing beacons, such as pedestrian crossing signs. Detectable warning panels, textured metal plates that allow visually impaired pedestrians to identify crossings and drop-offs, will also be installed. Finally, the town will improve an existing pedestrian crossing near El Mariachi restaurant between Merchants Way and Main Street which will be named the Walter’s Alley Pedestrian Zone.

Wareham received the grant from the Complete Streets funding program, an initiative designed to create safe, convenient and comfortable travel for residents of all ages and abilities. The Wareham Department of Development and Community Planning submitted an application to the Complete Streets program in April of last year, according to Ken Buckland, the department's director.

As part of the application, the planning department worked with engineering company, Kimley-Horn which conducted a study on which streets usability could be improved and took input from Wareham residents

Much of the project will focus on the area of Main Street between Trinity Christian Church and Sandwich Road and Onset Avenue between Union Avenue and East Boulevard.

Buckland said construction is expected to begin in the next six months following planning and contractor bidding and will end in the next year.

Traffic will be impacted at certain points during construction, Buckland said, and the timing of certain projects will take into account the heavier traffic during the summer months.

“This will get us going on making it safer for everyone to use the streets,” Buckland said.

This story is ongoing and will be updated.