Pecos adopts Safe Streets plan as first step to pursue up to $25 million in federal safety funding

The Pecos City Council voted April 23 to adopt the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) comprehensive safety action plan developed by the Foresight Group. The plan, which the council approved by resolution, identifies corridors with the highest numbers of fatal and severe crashes and recommends a programmatic mix of policies, enforcement and engineering countermeasures.

Foresight Group transportation leader Eric Stevens told the council that roughly 41 fatal or severe crashes were recorded over five years on a set of main thoroughfares and cut-through streets. "A large share of fatal crashes involve commercial vehicles," Stevens said, and the plan proposes measures ranging from access management and complete-streets policy to a freight village to reduce truck interactions in town.

Adoption of the plan on a council vote allows staff to pursue short-deadline federal grant opportunities. Foresight Group and city staff noted an upcoming federal window that could award up to $25 million to eligible projects; the plan's adoption is often a required prerequisite to compete for SS4A and related federal funds.

Council members discussed specific countermeasures such as temporary roundabouts, enforcement campaigns and school-focused safe-haven projects. The council approved Resolution 26-04-01R to adopt the plan and directed staff to begin preparing grant applications consistent with the plan's recommendations.