Young County schedules public hearing for federal Safe Streets planning grant application

The Young County Commissioners Court set a public hearing for Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. to collect public input for a federal Safe Streets for All planning grant application aimed at preventing roadway deaths and serious injuries.

Judge Edwin Graham told the court the grant is a planning grant: the county is seeking funds to hire an engineer to prepare a more detailed application and to conduct studies such as traffic analysis, curve and bridge assessments, and intersection and lighting reviews. Graham said the process requires public input and that the court can hold the hearing during a commissioners' court meeting.

"This shows you government ways that you have to go through this body of honey show to to get this grant that they want," Graham said, describing the federal procedural requirement for public engagement. Court staff said they have assembled letters of support and are coordinating with the Texas Department of Transportation and county engineer Zach Hughes on project identification.

Commissioners and staff discussed eligible uses: Graham said the planning grant would not pay for equipment like road machinery but could fund studies for roads, curves, water crossings and bridges. He said the county has already compiled roughly 60 letters of support for the application.

The court approved a motion from Commissioner Stacy Cresswell with a second from Commissioner Shook to set the hearing for the next scheduled meeting and directed staff to include public outreach materials identifying candidate sites for safety improvements.

Court members asked whether lighting and intersection improvements could be included; staff said coordination with TxDOT (the highway department) is part of the planning process. The hearing will provide an opportunity for residents to identify locations and priorities for the planning grant packet.