Shafter, California Development News

City Council Reviews Progress on Safe Streets and Roads Action Plan

The council received an update on the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Action Plan, which is a data-driven roadmap to reduce traffic injuries and crashes. The plan identifies high-risk locations and develops countermeasures, also positioning the city to compete for future safety grants. The city is halfway through the process, having collected five years of collision data and formed a steering committee. The plan aims to reduce 'killed and severe injuries' (KSI) and will include a project website with a community survey. The data shows a concerning trend of increasing fatalities and severe injuries, with broadside collisions and right-of-way violations being significant causes. Intersections are identified as dominant safety challenges, and Lero Highway from Poplar to Zurker is a top priority corridor. The plan will involve identifying countermeasures and projects, with adoption expected by the end of the year. Specific concerns were raised by council members regarding pedestrian and school child safety at various intersections and train crossings, particularly along Central Avenue, Central Valley Highway, and Shatter Avenue. A 'safe route to school' plan is being developed, focusing on areas within a 0.5-mile radius of public schools. Funding sources such as the Highway Safety Improvement Program (up to $10 million) and the SS4A Implementation Grant (up to $25 million) are being considered. The use of local match funds from sources like the HSR settlement was discussed as potentially applicable.