Boerne reviews draft Safe Streets action plan aimed at cutting fatalities, eyes federal implementation grant

Boerne city staff on March 10 presented a draft Safety Action Plan prepared to support a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) planning grant and to position the city for future implementation funding.

"We're trying to get that 36 down to 0," Jeff, a city staff member, said, referring to the 36 fatal or serious-injury crashes the team reviewed. He described a high-injury network where roughly 73% of crashes occur on about 15% of the city's roadways and identified priority intersections and corridors for targeted safety improvements.

The plan outlines intersection-focused fixes (mid-block pedestrian crossings, upgraded crosswalks, signal improvements or roundabouts) and corridor-level treatments in downtown Main Street, River Road and West San Antonio. Non-infrastructure proposals include safe-route-to-school plans, parking-management planning, updates to design standards and a recommendation to make the city's safety task force more public-facing.

Jeff said the SS4A award the city is tracking typically pairs federal funds with a local match. "In general, it's an 80/20 grant, but we have to go spend 100% to be able to get 80% back," he said, describing the funding mechanics the city expects for implementation grants.

Councilors asked for clarification on timing and scope. Councilor Wilson asked whether "implementation" meant simply adopting the planning document or building projects; Jeff explained that completion of the safety action plan is a prerequisite to apply for an implementation grant that would fund design and construction, and that award decisions can take a year after application.

Council discussion also touched on downtown retailers' concerns about parking and on coordinating with TxDOT and regional partners for signals and corridor treatments. No formal action was taken at the meeting; staff said the draft would be posted for public comment and return to council for formal approval in May ahead of a June application window.

Why it matters: The drafting and adoption of a safety action plan is the typical first step to access federal implementation dollars that can pay for street redesigns, signal upgrades and pedestrian safety measures. The plan prioritizes limited local resources toward road segments driving the majority of serious crashes.

What's next: Staff will post the draft plan online for public review, return to council in May for formal approval and, if approved, prepare an application for an implementation grant expected to be submitted in June; grant awards generally take up to a year to be announced.