County pursues FHWA safety-action planning grant; project would require 20% local match

Clallam County public-works staff told the commissioners Sept. 15 they plan to accept a U.S. Department of Transportation/Federal Highway Administration planning grant to develop a countywide Safety Action Plan.

Staff said the federal grant pays for a planning consultant who will analyze crash and roadway data, coordinate public outreach, and produce a prioritized list of projects and recommended countermeasures that will make the county more competitive for future federal and state construction grants. The county’s required match for this grant is 20% of the award, not 12.5% as printed in the packet, a public-works presenter clarified.

Commissioners asked why the county would hire an outside consultant instead of doing the planning internally. Public-works staff replied that consultants bring broader jurisdictional experience, engineering practice and grant-ready formats that are more easily accepted by federal funders. Staff described the plan’s likely product as a set of prioritized, funding-ready projects with recommended engineering and non-engineering countermeasures and an implementation timeline.

Commissioners asked about the timeline and scope. Staff said the proposed consultant would be onboard early next year, collect and analyze data, and deliver a final report in mid- to late-2026 under the federal timeline. The plan is intended to cover intersections and corridors and to incorporate a Safe Systems approach that considers roadway design, speeds, vehicle technology, emergency response, and land use.

Next steps: staff will bring the grant acceptance and associated budget amendment forward at the regular meeting for approval; if accepted, the county will procure a consultant and initiate the planning process.