North Kingstown council hears Safe Streets for All plan, authorizes letter of support

The North Kingstown Town Council on March 24 heard a presentation on the federal Safe Streets for All program and unanimously authorized the council president to sign a letter of support that will be included in the town's final Safety Action Plan, making the town eligible to compete for USDOT implementation grants.

Bowman Engineering consultant Eric (surname not specified) and Planning Director Nicole Lafontaine presented the plan, which analyzes five years of crash data (2019–2023), identifies a “high‑injury network,” and ranks 14 locations across town for countermeasures such as upgraded crosswalks, ADA curb ramps and improved pedestrian signals. Lafontaine told councilors the regional effort pooled federal and state funds so municipalities could plan together: the multi‑community program is a $6,250,000 effort funded by a $5,000,000 federal Safe Streets for All planning grant and $1,250,000 from the state capital program.

Nut graf: The council’s vote does not itself fund construction; by authorizing a letter of support the town signals formal endorsement of the Safety Action Plan, a required step to be eligible for the next round of USDOT implementation grants. Bowman and town staff said a Notice of Funding Opportunity for implementation grants was expected in weeks and could allow North Kingstown to seek money to build the plan's recommendations.

Presenters said the plan blends crash analysis with community outreach — including public events, stakeholder interviews and a statewide survey — and layers equity and climate considerations into project selection. Eric said intersections accounted for many crash clusters and that the plan separates “all‑modes” crashes from those involving vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists. He noted the town ranks about 21st of 39 Rhode Island municipalities for crash rate when summer months are included.

Council discussion focused on implementation timing and grant certainty. Councilor McCoy asked whether the federal NOFO would definitely issue; Bowman said funding has been allocated but the timing and terms depend on federal rulemaking. Bowman said grant application requirements may change from the prior NOFO and that some eligibility language (for example, climate or equity criteria) could shift before the implementation round is released. Councilors also asked how state agencies such as RIDOT and RIPTA would be engaged because many targeted roads are state‑controlled; presenters said RIPTA coordinated applications and that RIDOT and RIPTA would need to accommodate municipal recommendations for many high‑priority locations.

After the presentation, Town Manager Ralph asked the council to authorize the president to sign a letter of support to be included in the plan and final submission. Councilor McCoy moved to authorize the signature; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

The council also agreed to sign a draft letter that will be placed in the final Safety Action Plan, which staff said will be delivered to USDOT and used when the town applies for implementation grants. The plan team said the final plan will be delivered after Bowman receives remaining comment from RIDTA and the town.