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Council adopts Safe Streets safety action plan and authorizes application support for federal implementation funding
Summary
The council voted to adopt a pedestrian and roadway safety action plan developed under the USDOT Safe Streets for All program and approved contracting consultant Bowman to assist preparing implementation grant materials and gave a broad endorsement for seeking implementation funds.
The Town Council adopted a Safe Streets safety action plan developed with Bowman and a local Safe Streets task force and authorized the town to pursue implementation funding under the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets for All (SS4A) program.
Luke Murray, Deputy Town Manager, and Eric Weiss of Bowman said the plan applies a Safe System approach and identified priority locations for countermeasures; the team recommended Main Street at High Street and Main Street between Cherry Lane and Wright Avenue as initial candidates for implementation funding because they scored highly in crash data prioritization and could yield safety and economic benefits. Weiss noted the program emphasizes removing roadway fatalities and serious injuries through proven countermeasures such as street‑design changes and intersection treatments.
Councilors also approved a separate contract to engage Bowman to prepare a grant application and related materials, and passed a nonbinding resolution endorsing the town’s future SS4A implementation application. Councilors discussed federal review criteria and recently observed changes in language around equity and disadvantaged communities; staff said they will follow guidance from experienced SS4A reviewers to improve the town’s chances.
Deputy Manager Murray said the town must adopt a safety action plan to be eligible for implementation grants and that the adoption unlocks the ability to apply for SS4A implementation money; the council’s endorsements and approval to hire Bowman were unanimous. Murray cautioned that the program’s funding windows are limited and that the application process requires a local match if a large award is made; staff will present a match strategy if the town receives an award.
