SUBJECT
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Resolution supporting Polk County's application for U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant (SS4A) to Complete the Vision Zero planning efforts.
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DESCRIPTION
In the past five years, ending in 2020, an average of 126 lives were cut short and 462 people were severely incapacitated while travel on Polk roadways. Between 2016 and 2020, average roadway deaths increased by 27 percent over that of 2011-2015, while the population grew by 12.6 percent. For multiple years running, the Lakeland/Winter Haven metro area has been identified by Smart Growth America as among the 10 most dangerous places in the nation to walk. In addition to the emotional trauma, and the families forever altered; these severe crash outcomes on Polk County roadways cost the economy an average of $1.75 billion a year. In short, our roadway safety conditions and trends threaten our prosperity and quality of life.
Over the last 10 years all Polk County stakeholders and partners have taken several planning, outreach/education, and implementation actions in support of safety initiatives. The Polk communities and partners are coming together around Vision Zero planning efforts.
As Polk County desires to be awarded a portion of the $5 Billion in Safe Streets and Roads for All funding allocated for winning implementation projects to achieve zero fatalities, it will pursue Safe Streets for All Action Plan funding in the 2022-2023 year to complete the Vision Zero planning efforts. .
RECOMMENDATION
Request Board adopt the associated Resolution to support the County's Safe Streets and Roads for all application
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this agenda item, however there could be future impact of up to $200,000 (if the grant funding is awarded).
CONTACT INFORMATION
Greg Scott, RSP1, PMP, AICP
Polk Transportation Planning Organization
863-534-6487
Parag Agrawal, AICP
Polk Transportation Planning Organization
863-534-...
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