Geary County adopts Safe Streets and Roads for All plan to pursue federal safety funding

Geary County commissioners voted to adopt a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) safety action plan and a non-binding resolution to enable pursuit of federal SS4A funding.

Kaylyn, the county’s presenter on the plan, said the purpose is to reduce roadway deaths and serious injuries by 50% over the next 10 years. “The purpose of this plan is to save lives,” Kaylyn said, citing the plan’s crash analysis showing 13 fatal crashes and 60 crashes resulting in serious injuries in Geary County from 2015 to 2024 (excluding Junction City and I‑70).

Why it matters: adoption of the SS4A plan is a prerequisite to apply for federal SS4A grants; the county’s final draft includes a prioritized list of short-term countermeasures and catalyst projects supported by public engagement and data analysis.

Plan details and public input: staff said the plan’s appendices document public engagement (108 survey responses and 120 map comments from 81 contributors), crash heat maps, and a countermeasures toolbox that identifies low-cost steps (signing upgrades, edgeline striping pilots) and larger catalyst projects with concept designs and cost estimates. The plan identified seven focus areas including roadway departures, speeding, distraction, motorcycles, seatbelt use, young drivers and intersections.

Commission action and limits: the commission moved to accept resolution 06152026 and carried the motion. Staff emphasized the adoption is non-binding — it does not commit the county to specific projects — but is required for future federal funding; individual projects would return for separate approval and budgeting.

The commission discussed potential next steps including pursuing grants for prioritized catalyst projects and coordinating with regional partners and the technical advisory committee for project support.