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Seven-community safety plan recommends corridor projects, Ferndale to lead federal grant bid
Summary
Tool Design presented a draft Southeast Oakland County Safety Action Plan and said Ferndale will be the lead applicant on a proposed Safe Streets for All implementation grant estimated at about $11.9 million in project funding.
Consultant firm Tool Design presented a draft Southeast Oakland County Safety Action Plan to the Ferndale City Council, summarizing an 18-month planning effort among seven communities that aims to reduce fatal and serious crashes and to pursue a joint Safe Streets for All implementation grant with Ferndale serving as lead applicant.
Kristin Saunders of Tool Design said the planning process included a crash analysis (2018–2023), five steering-committee meetings, three public open houses and multiple outreach events. The consultant identified a “high injury network” of streets where most fatal and serious crashes occur and recommended three project types: quick-build systemic safety corridors (paint/bollards), substantial reconstructions (curb and lane changes) and longer-term corridor studies for very wide, multi-jurisdictional streets such as 8 Mile Road.
Saunders said the plan finds about 80% of fatal and serious crashes occur on streets posted over 35 mph and that about 70% of those crashes occur on wide streets with four or more lanes. Contributing factors cited in the crash analysis include alcohol and drug use, speeding, red‑light running and careless driving; the plan emphasizes a holistic approach combining engineering, education and enforcement.
Tool Design outlined a draft project list with prioritization criteria that consider roadway risk, access to destinations and equity (including Justice40 and areas of persistent poverty). The draft grant application would break projects into implementation and planning funds; Saunders said implementation projects total about $11.9 million and the grant structure considered an 80% federal, 20% local match for construction costs.
Council and staff discussed local policies that affect street safety, including Ferndale’s 2010 Complete Streets ordinance and the city’s lack of a formal “no turn on red” policy. Assistant City Manager James Kurzan and council members asked how local funding obligations (Act 51) and interjurisdictional coordination would work; Saunders said Act 51 dollars could help meet the local match and that multi-jurisdictional corridors (e.g., 8 Mile) will require coordination with MDOT and neighboring jurisdictions.
No formal vote was requested at the meeting; staff said the full plan will be provided to council and that the cities are preparing a Safe Streets for All grant application with Ferndale as lead.
