Spears: safe pedestrian intersection prioritization for enhanced road safety

The Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS), the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Ada and Canyon Counties, received a $276,000 project grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program (CFDA 20.939) on August 19, 2025. The award, with an ultimate completion date of August 19, 2027, supports the SPEARS (Safe Pedestrian Intersection Prioritization for Enhanced Road Safety) initiative focused on enhancing pedestrian safety at critical intersections throughout the region.

Under this award, COMPASS will deliver comprehensive safety planning and data-driven infrastructure improvements to reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries. Typical deliverables under the SS4A program include development of a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, crash data analysis, stakeholder engagement activities, and implementation of targeted safety strategies and infrastructure improvements benefiting all road users, particularly pedestrians. The two-year project timeframe aligns with COMPASS's regional transportation planning mission and complements the organization's ongoing role in coordinating safety initiatives across southwestern Idaho.