For immediate release: Dec. 11, 2024
Media contact:
Scott Randall, Robert Peccia & Associates
srandall@rpa-hln.com
406-447-5005
Gallatin County Launches Virtual Open House for Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Action Plan
Gallatin County is excited to announce the launch of its Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Action Plan, a countywide initiative focused on improving transportation safety across rural areas and the urban-rural interface near Bozeman and Belgrade. As part of the planning process, Gallatin County is hosting a Virtual Open House from Friday, December 6 through Monday, January 5, inviting residents and stakeholders to provide valuable feedback and help shape the future of transportation safety in the region.
The SS4A Action Plan will guide efforts to reduce fatalities and serious injuries from roadway crashes, with a focus on improving safety for all users—whether driving, biking, walking, or using other modes of transportation. The plan will specifically address challenges in rural areas while considering the connections between rural communities and nearby urban centers.
“We want to make sure that Gallatin County’s streets are safe for everyone, and that means hearing from all segments of our community,” said Cola Rowley, Gallatin County Deputy Administrator and project manager for the SS4A Action Plan. “The input we gather through this open house will play a critical role in identifying safety priorities and shaping strategies for the roadways in our county.”
Virtual Open House Details
The Virtual Open House will feature informational materials, videos, surveys, and other interactive content that allow participants to share their thoughts on transportation safety concerns, priorities, and potential solutions. The online event is designed to be accessible and convenient, enabling residents to participate at their own pace during the 30-day period.
Event Details:
- What: Gallatin County Safe Streets for All Virtual Open House
- When: Friday, December 6 – Monday, January 5
- Where: GallatinCountySS4A.com
The public is encouraged to explore the open house content, complete surveys, and submit comments or questions. The goal is to ensure that the SS4A Action Plan reflects the diverse needs and experiences of the community.
A Collaborative Process
The SS4A Action Plan is being developed with extensive community input and data analysis, including past crash statistics and input from public surveys and stakeholder meetings. In addition to feedback collected through the virtual open house, Gallatin County will host additional outreach events in the coming months as the plan progresses.
“This open house is just the beginning of a collaborative process that will continue to evolve,” Rowley explained. “We are committed to making sure the plan addresses the most pressing safety issues and that everyone in Gallatin County has a chance to be heard.”
About the Safe Streets for All Action Plan
The Safe Streets for All (SS4A) initiative is part of a nationwide program aimed at reducing transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries. In 2023, Gallatin County was awarded funding to develop a comprehensive safety action plan (referred to as an “Action Plan”) identifying the most significant roadway safety concerns in the community as well as a set of projects and strategies to address identified safety issues. Action Plans are the foundation of the SS4A grant program. Once a community has an approved Action Plan in place, it is eligible to apply for additional funding to implement the plan’s projects and strategies. Eligible projects and strategies may be infrastructural, behavioral, and/or operational activities.
The effort will build on the findings and recommendations of past planning efforts, such as the Greater Triangle Area Transportation Plan (GTATP) and the Triangle Area Trails Plan, which have already addressed multimodal transportation safety concerns. The SS4A Action Plan will focus on issues identified through these studies, as well as new trends that emerge throughout the planning process. These may include concerns related to single-vehicle run-off-the-road crashes, impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, or the safety of vulnerable road users.
How to Submit Comments
Feedback can be submitted at any time during the planning process, with comments and questions directed to the consultant project manager, Scott Randall, via email at srandall@rpa-hln.com, by phone at 406-447-5005, or by mail at 3147 Saddle Drive, Helena, MT 59601.
The feedback gathered through this outreach will help guide the development of the SS4A Action Plan and inform specific projects and strategies aimed at improving transportation safety for all residents of Gallatin County.
For more information about Gallatin County’s SS4A program or to access the Virtual Open House, please visit GallatinCountySS4A.com.
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