The Spearfish City Council Aug. 4 ratified the professional services agreement with SRF Consulting for the development of a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Safety Action Plan, aimed at eliminating fatal crashes and significantly reducing severe injury crashes related to the City’s street system.
SS4A is a program within the Federal Highway Administration, and in 2023, Spearfish was awarded a $160,000 SS4A planning grant, with a $40,000 local match. The City released a Request for Proposals this spring, which stated, “City of Spearfish leadership is committed to creating safe, inclusive streets that prioritize the well-being and mobility of all users. Using the Safety Action Plan as a guide, the city is prepared to invest in low-cost, high-impact initiatives to enhance transportation safety and accessibility across the community.” Seven proposals were received. After review by the selection committee made up of elected officials, staff, and community members, SFR was chosen as the preferred consultant based on qualifications, team, and project approach.
The professional services agreement project description states, “In collaboration with city leadership, a project advisory group, and the community, the consultant will create a Safety Action Plan with the goal of significantly reducing or eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries in Spearfish for all roadway users including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation users, motorists, and micromobility users. The plan will promote a culture of safety by fostering collaboration, applying context-sensitive transportation design standards, and incorporating strategies that anticipate human error and minimize impact forces to reduce crash severity and save lives.”
The objectives of the planning process are:
- Comprehensive Street Safety Assessment – Conduct a thorough assessment of the existing street infrastructure, including sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, signage, and traffic flow patterns, to identify areas of concern and potential hazards. This assessment will be data-driven, utilizing accident reports, pedestrian and cyclist feedback, and traffic flow data to guide the decision-making process.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Community Input – Engage community members through public meetings, surveys, and workshops to gather input and insights on street safety issues, concerns, and potential solutions. This collaborative approach will ensure that the planning process reflects the needs and aspirations of all residents, including pedestrians, cyclists, public transit users, and motorists.
- Research and Adopt Best Practices – Analyze local and national data on successful street safety initiatives, best practices, and evidence-based interventions. This research will inform the development of a customized strategy for Spearfish, considering the unique characteristics of our community.
- Action Plan Development – Based on the assessment findings, community input, and best practices research, develop a comprehensive plan that outlines specific strategies and measures to improve street safety and accessibility. This plan will include short-term and long-term goals, recommended infrastructure improvements, educational campaigns, enforcement strategies, and policy recommendations.
- Collaboration and Partnerships – Foster collaboration with key stakeholders, including peer communities, local advocacy groups, school district, law enforcement, and other jurisdictions, to ensure coordinated efforts and maximize the impact of street safety initiatives. Building strong partnerships will facilitate the implementation of the action plan and provide ongoing support for sustainable change.
The project timeline anticipates the adoption of the final project plan in the first quarter of 2026, and its adoption will allow the City to apply for implementation funding through the Federal Highway Administration. Next steps will include a kickoff meeting with the project advisory committee, made up of representatives from the school district, City staff, bicycle advocates, and elected officials; launch of a website where people will find events, project updates, and opportunities to participate; and pop-up events, focus group events, and a communitywide survey.
The Safety Action Plan will be developed prior to the update of the City’s Master Transportation Plan, the current version of which was adopted in 2011, and should establish a foundation for a Complete Streets approach to all transportation planning efforts. The City is also in the process of developing Engineering Design Standards, expected to be adopted later this year.
