Borough staff present draft Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, public comment open through March 20

Consultants presented the draft Bristol Bay Borough Comprehensive Safety Action Plan at the assembly meeting on March 2, saying the plan is now out for public comment through March 20 and, if adopted, would make the borough eligible for further implementation funding.

"The draft comprehensive safety action plan for the borough is out for public comment now," the presenter told the assembly and said the plan has been available since Feb. 18. She described the plan as an "action plan" with recommended implementation projects and a timeline; adopting the plan would make the borough eligible to apply for further federal demonstration and construction funds.

Key project recommendations highlighted in the presentation include:
- A separated pedestrian and bicycle PATH along the Lehi Peninsula Highway (Naknek to King Salmon) to connect priority segments and preview future TAP-funded work; the PATH is a demonstration pilot, not necessarily permanent.
- Strategic highway lighting at high-priority locations (not continuous highway lighting) such as between the airport and School Road and through known curves.
- Marked crosswalks with rectangular rapid-flashing beacons at the school, Ocean Beauty, and airport access to improve pedestrian visibility.
- Speed-feedback signs coupled with data collection to inform enforcement and identify speed patterns.
- Highway and local road delineators and a general refresh of signage on borough roads and the Alaska Peninsula Highway.
- Consideration of edge-line striping when DOT resurfaces roadways to better define travel lanes and reduce run-off-road crashes.

The presenter noted the borough has already secured a demonstration PATH project and that the Safe Streets for All program is funded by USDOT; she urged residents to review the plan's online open house and submit comments before the March 20 deadline. She also said staff would return to the assembly in April with a package recommended for adoption and responses to comments, timed to align with federal funding cycles.

Next steps: Public comment period open through March 20; staff/consultants expected to return in April with an adoption package and a comments-and-responses summary so the borough can pursue implementation grants.

(Reporting notes: project descriptions and timeline are taken from the presenter's oral summary during the March 2 meeting.)