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Town and county direct staff to draft joint letter to YDOT on crosswalk safety; Safe Streets plan cited
Summary
After a resident described recent pedestrian accidents, the joint bodies asked staff to draft a letter to YDOT seeking funding partnerships and a working group, citing the Safe Streets for All action plan and federal TAP opportunities; staff will present a draft prior to Feb. 20 for approval.
A resident's plea about dangerous downtown crosswalks and two recent pedestrian deaths prompted the Town of Jackson Council and Teton County Commission to ask staff to draft a joint letter to the Wyoming Department of Transportation seeking both technical assistance and exploration of funding partnership options.
Dale Hoyt, who identified himself as an East Jackson resident, told elected officials he has repeatedly warned by email about near-misses at downtown crosswalks and urged stronger measures "than the little orange flags" used by pedestrians. "I'd love to see push-button crosswalks at all of them," Hoyt said, describing multiple close calls and a recent fatality.
Commissioner Gardner proposed that the letter also recommend forming a working group that includes elected leaders and staff to coordinate with WYDOT on safety countermeasures. Staff members noted the recently completed Safe Streets for All safety-action plan and federal funding avenues such as the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).
Brian Schilling, the town's pathways coordinator, said the Safe Streets plan has already identified the corridor in question as part of a high-injury network and that the federal program could be a strong match for trial or permanent countermeasures. "The Safe Streets for All federal program would be an ideal match for implementing safety improvements and even doing experimental or trial basis work," he said.
The joint bodies directed staff to draft the letter and present a draft to the boards prior to a February meeting (amended date set to Feb. 20 in discussion) so the bodies can review and, if desired, approve it for transmittal to WYDOT and related agencies. Staff cautioned that specific funding commitments would be discussed later in budget processes and that permitting on WYDOT-owned roads can limit what is physically possible without agency agreement.
What's next: Staff will prepare a draft joint letter on pedestrian safety and crosswalks and circulate it to councilors and commissioners ahead of the next joint meeting; staff will also identify potential grant programs (TAP and others) and coordinating steps with WYDOT.
