The Foothills Rural Planning Organization (FRPO) is developing its first-ever Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) plan, a federally funded initiative designed to make travel safer for everyone. The Regional Safety Action Plan will serve as a roadmap for reducing serious injuries and fatalities on local roads across McDowell, Polk, and Rutherford Counties, with a focus on improving safety for all roadway users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and commercial drivers.
Funded by a $256,000 SS4A Planning Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, with a local match of $64,000 provided by Dogwood Health Trust, this project represents a major step toward creating a coordinated, data-driven strategy for safer roads throughout the Foothills region.
About the Plan
The Safety Action Plan, developed in partnership with Bolton & Menk, will:
- Analyze crash data and roadway conditions to identify high-risk areas;
- Engage residents, local governments, and key stakeholders to shape community-driven solutions;
- Recommend proven safety countermeasures and policy changes based on the Safe System Approach;
- Establish measurable goals and strategies for eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries.
The plan will be guided by a Safety Action Plan Steering Committee and include collaboration with the FRPO Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC) and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Board, ensuring broad input and alignment with local transportation priorities.
Get Involved
Public engagement is essential to this effort. Residents, businesses, and community organizations are encouraged to participate by sharing their feedback and experiences with roadway safety in their communities.
- Explore the StoryMap
Learn about the plan’s purpose, safety data, and progress through an interactive online platform. - Take the Public Survey
Your input will help identify safety concerns and guide project priorities.
Project Timeline
The Safety Action Plan is being developed over an 18-month period and will include multiple opportunities for public input, community workshops, and presentations to local boards and councils. Once completed, the plan will guide future safety investments and implementation strategies across the Foothills region.
