Klamath Falls, Oregon – Klamath County’s thousands of miles of roads connect communities where a serious crash can leave emergency crews facing difficult terrain and long distances. A new $4 million federal grant will help local agencies examine those challenges and develop ways to prevent crashes and improve the response when they happen.
The award also marks a successful second attempt. After an unsuccessful application last year, the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office and its fire district partners returned to the grant process and secured funding for roadway safety planning and demonstration projects.
The Sheriff’s Office announced the award in partnership with Klamath County Fire District No. 1 and Klamath County Fire District No. 4. Funding comes through the Safe Streets and Roads for All program, administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The federal program supports efforts to prevent traffic deaths and serious injuries through safety planning, crash analysis and testing potential solutions.
Klamath County’s award is designated for Planning and Demonstration activities. That work could include identifying dangerous intersections and high-risk roadways, reviewing locations with a history of fatal or serious injury crashes, and examining collision trends to determine where resources would have the greatest effect.
Agencies could also test safety measures, technologies and strategies before deciding which approaches best fit the county’s needs. Rural roadway conditions, limited visibility, geographic isolation and emergency response challenges are among the concerns that could receive attention.
The partnership brings together deputies, firefighters and emergency medical responders who regularly handle serious crashes. Their experience will help shape a broader strategy covering crash prevention, coordination at incident scenes, and protection for motorists and first responders.
Local governments, transportation agencies and community members are also expected to help identify concerns and practical solutions.
The Sheriff’s Office credited Jonathon Feit and Beyond Lucid Technologies, Inc., with providing guidance and support throughout the renewed application effort. Their assistance helped the agencies pursue the award after last year’s setback.
A comprehensive safety action plan could also help position Klamath County to seek additional federal and state funding for permanent roadway improvements.
Specific projects and implementation timelines will be announced as planning progresses. For now, the agencies have outlined the goal driving that work: “Reduce preventable crashes. Save lives. Make Klamath County’s roadways safer for everyone.”
