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Council adopts Comprehensive Safety Action Plan to compete for federal construction funds
Summary
Balch Springs adopted a USDOT-funded Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (SS4A planning grant) that staff and consultant Kimley Horn say is required to apply for implementation (construction) grants; staff noted the plan found 37 fatal or serious-injury crashes in 2024 and identified study corridors for improvements.
Council voted to adopt the city’s Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, the planning document produced under a $160,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) planning grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Caroline Carnes of Kimley Horn summarized the plan’s purpose and timeline and said the plan is a prerequisite for construction grants the city will pursue this year.
"So there were a total of 37 fatal or serious injury crashes in Balch Springs in 2024," Carnes said while walking council through the crash analysis and the high-injury network. She explained the plan analyzed crash data from 2020–2024 and highlighted primary study corridors (Lake June, Pioneer, Mackenzie) and secondary corridors, and recommended a mix of low-cost and longer-term improvements including sidewalks, signal upgrades and crosswalk enhancements.
City staff said adoption positions Balch Springs to apply for SS4A implementation funds with a deadline later in May 2026 and that the council would be asked for a letter of support when applications are prepared. Councilmembers praised the collaborative task force that included police, fire, public services, the school district and STAR Transit. The resolution was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Garcia and carried without amendment.
Next steps: staff will pursue implementation grant applications for targeted corridors (Elam Road identified as a candidate) and monitor crash data as improvements are constructed.
