AGENDA DATE: 5/7/2025
TITLE:
Title
Move Safely Blue Ridge Safety Action Plan
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Seeking feedback and adoption of the Move Safely Blue Ridge Safety Action Plan
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Herrick, Filardo, McDermott, Hersh-Ballering
PRESENTER (S): Hersh-Ballering, McCray
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission was awarded an $857,600 Safe Streets and Roads for All grant to develop a safety action plan for the region. Albemarle County committed to participating in the multi-jurisdictional initiative, including providing a portion of the required local match for the project. On February 7, 2024, the Board adopted a “Resolution of Commitment to Roadway Safety Goals,” committing Albemarle County to undertake efforts to reduce roadway-related deaths and serious injuries in the County in half (from the 2018-2022 average) by 2045, with the eventual goal of zero roadway fatalities and serious injuries. The Resolution and the adoption of the safety action plan would make Albemarle County eligible to apply for Safe Streets for All implementation funding for projects or initiatives identified in the plan.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Safety & Well-Being - Nurture a safe and healthy community
DISCUSSION: The draft safety action plan, which has been branded “Move Safely Blue Ridge,” is included as Attachment A. The safety action plan includes recent safety statistics for Albemarle County and the region, describes the Move Safely Blue Ridge planning process, and identifies and prioritizes projects, policies, and programs to improve roadway safety. Transportation planning staff has reviewed the document and provided feedback that has been incorporated into the attached draft plan.
Adoption of this plan would support Albemarle County’s goal to reduce roadway-related deaths and serious injuries by providing staff with data-backed safety recommendations and making the County eligible for additional federal funding. Adoption of the plan would not commit the County to implementing any of the recommended projects, policies, or programs.
BUDGET IMPACT: Adoption of the safety action plan would not commit Albemarle County to any additional spending. The projects, policies, and programs to reduce and eliminate deaths and serious injuries on County roadways identified in the safety action plan may be funded through a future Safe Streets for All grant request, Smart Scale or Revenue Sharing grant requests, and/or dedication of local funding. Staff would return to the Board of Supervisors to seek implementation funding and/or local match for the highest priority and most competitive projects at appropriate future dates.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors share feedback on the attached safety action plan. If the Board finds the “Move Safely Blue Ridge Safety Action Plan” (Attachment A) acceptable in its current form, staff recommends that the Board adopt the Plan at this meeting. If Board feedback requires significant edits, the Board may adopt the plan at the May 21, 2025 meeting, after the feedback has been incorporated.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Move Safely Blue Ridge Safety Action Plan