Consultant outlines Safe Streets for All plan; council gives consensus to proceed

Universal City’s consultant told council on March 3 that the city’s Safe Streets for All (SS4A) planning work is nearing completion and is intended to position the city to compete for federal implementation grants.

Danielle Metzger Galarza, the consultant leading the effort, said the team evaluated five years of crash data to identify a high‑injury network and gathered community input through pop‑up events and an online survey that drew more than 400 responses. “This sets Universal City up to compete for future implementation grants,” she said, and described recommended infrastructure countermeasures (dedicated turn lanes, emergency vehicle preemption, rapid‑flashing beacons and upgraded school‑zone flashers) and policy work (ADA transition plan, traffic‑calming and street design standards). She emphasized the program’s focus on reducing fatal and serious‑injury crashes rather than addressing congestion alone.

Councilors asked for supporting heat maps and for the team to consider the impacts of major TxDOT projects on future crash patterns; the consultant said heat maps and the safety dashboard are included in the draft plan and recommended continued post‑construction evaluation. Staff said the draft will be posted for public comment and that council adoption is targeted for April to align with the anticipated spring 2026 implementation grant window. No formal vote was required tonight; council recorded consensus to proceed with finalization and public posting.