Commissioners adopt Safe Streets for All — Vision Zero plan to qualify for federal safety grants

The Leavenworth County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 2025-8 accepting the county—s Safe Streets for All (Vision Zero) plan, a safety study county staff said will make the county eligible for federal implementation funding.

County staff explained the study cost about $300,000, funded approximately 80% by federal grants, 10% by the state and 10% by Leavenworth County. The study updates prior local road safety work and provides heat maps, crash-location appendices and crash-type analysis county engineers can use when applying for federal safety grants.

Staff described key findings: a disproportionately high number of motorcycle fatalities and injuries, a notable number of ATV crashes, and crashes involving impaired drivers. The study also identified locations with limited clear zones and shoulder recovery areas and recommended projects that could be candidates for federal funding, including segments of K-5 corridor realignment and specified county routes such as Fairmount Road near 1505th and Golden Road.

County staff said the county has secured roughly $65 million in guaranteed funds over the last five years and that the Vision Zero study will help the county compete for implementation dollars that typically fund projects in the low millions to $10 million-plus range and often require a local match.

Ending: With the study adopted, staff said they will pursue eligible grant opportunities and prioritize high-scoring safety projects identified in the plan.