Belgrade outlines Safe Streets action plan with goal to halve serious crashes by 2030

City Engineer Joe Halk presented the draft Safe Streets safety action plan and told the council it is the result of about eight months of work with a consultant, a project management team and a safety working group of local stakeholders.

Halk said the plan’s vision is “to apply the safe system approach to eliminate fatal and serious injury crashes and reduce crash risk throughout the Belgrade planning area to promote a safe, livable, and connected community for all users of the transportation system.” The plan sets interim targets: reduce fatal/serious-injury crashes by 50% by 2030 and 75% by 2045, with the eventual goal of reaching zero.

Halk summarized a toolbox of projects, policies and strategies and described appendices that include a pedestrian and biking facility selection guide and a potential traffic-calming program. He highlighted the demonstration project on Main Street and said the city collected speed and pedestrian-crossing data showing increased yielding rates and more use of marked crosswalks near Davis Street.

Council members asked whether the plan covers e-bike behavior and whether demonstration treatments could become permanent. Halk said e-bikes present enforcement and education challenges and that the plan can include strategies to address e-bike users. He said appendix F offers a self-certification worksheet that would position Belgrade to pursue federal implementation grants; staff indicated they would likely target the Jack Rabbit Corridor for early implementation funding because of its safety needs.

Halk told the council staff hopes to bring the plan back for adoption at the council’s next regular meeting, assuming no major changes are requested.