Columbia County adopts safety action plan to prioritize crash-prone roads and seek federal implementation grants

The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners on Thursday voted to adopt a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan produced under the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program, making the county eligible to apply for federal implementation grants to address fatal and serious-injury crashes.

The plan, presented by consultant Vincent Spar of Kimley‑Horn, used five years of crash data and public input to identify 21 crash-priority road segments and 23 intersections and then prioritized 12 initial sites for countermeasures such as edge-line and center-line rumble strips, upgraded lighting, raised pavement markers, pedestrian improvements and longer-term options such as roundabouts. "If it's in the plan, it's eligible for funding," Spar told the board.

The SS4A implementation grants require a local match (commonly 20 percent), and the plan notes that matching local funds can stretch project dollars—turning, for example, $1 of local match into $5 of implementation funding through federal awards. The county's consultant recommended applying for implementation grants for selected projects; commissioners discussed using existing resurfacing or pavement program dollars as part of the match and the timing and uncertainty of construction costs.

Board members pressed for clarity on liability and on whether choosing projects outside the prioritized list would expose the county to risk. County counsel said adopting the plan does not create a legal obligation to fix every listed site and that the board may amend the plan or add projects later; staff recommended vetting off-list projects at staff level before board action.

Commissioners said the plan will help the county compete for federal funds that would multiply local investments. The board approved adoption; a motion to adopt carried with the board voting in favor.