Cities and towns have until May 21 to make their cases for funding from the next round of the Shared Streets and Spaces grant program and Department of Transportation officials said they are particularly interested in funding projects that can be completed this summer to make roads safer for drivers, pedestrians and others.

MassDOT said that it will provide between $5,000 and $200,000 to projects that could improve plazas, sidewalks, curbs, streets, bus stops, parking areas, and other public spaces in support of public health, mobility and renewed commerce. Applications are open through May 21 and MassDOT plans to announce the next round of awards by June 25.

“In light of recent increases in speeding-related crashes and fatalities, this new phase of the program will have an additional emphasis on safety, and is looking to fund projects that improve safety for all road users through interventions that achieve safer conditions and safer speeds,” MassDOT policy assistant Elizabeth Biskar said.

When scoring grant applications, MassDOT said it will give bonus points to municipalities or transit authorities that have not already received funding through the Shared Streets and Spaces program, towns that are designated as being at the highest risk for COVID-19 spread at the time of their application, environmental justice communities, and “quick-build” projects that can be done by Sept. 7.

Since its launch last summer, the administration said that the Shared Streets and Spaces program has awarded $26.4 million to 161 municipalities and four transit authorities to advance 232 projects – including dedicated bus and bike lanes, seasonal parklets, safer crosswalks and new bike share stations.