The Soldotna City Council recently reviewed a comprehensive road safety plan presented by R&M Consultants, Inc. for the Kenai Peninsula Borough on Wednesday, April 23. The plan identified high-risk traffic corridors across the Kenai Peninsula Borough. Developed through a federal “Safe Streets for All” grant, the plan analyzed crash data from 2018 to 2022, revealing that 74% of fatal or serious injury crashes occurred on 4% of borough roads.
Several locations in Soldotna made the top 20 priority list, including segments of the Kenai Spur Highway, Sterling Highway, College Road, and K-Beach Road.
Proposed safety improvements range from widening lanes and improving lighting to adding bike paths, sidewalks, and roundabouts.
The study emphasizes pedestrian and cyclist safety, which Council Member Jordan Chilson, an avid cyclist, praised, noting his close calls on local roads.
“It’s always encouraging to see our local governments making efforts to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists throughout the community and some of the areas that you’ve identified, I’ve actually had a couple close calls. I’ve been hit by a car in one spot. I’ve had another car come within a foot of me at full speed… So this is very encouraging to see the efforts made to discover any potential opportunity for improvement.” Said Chilson
Consultants explained that crash data and other criteria, like proximity to schools and equity metrics, determined project priorities. Some routes, such as a portion of K-Beach Road, were not prioritized due to insufficient crash data, though city officials noted their growing traffic volumes.
The plan now allows the KPB and cities like Soldotna to apply for substantial federal funding. Anchorage used a similar plan to secure $25 million in federal safety funding.
The Action Plan will head to the KPB Planning Commission and the Borough Assembly in June for adoption.
Find the full presentation here.