The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that the County’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Action Plan is now publicly available online after being adopted by the County Commissioners at the April 30th Union County Commissioner meeting. The plan represents a major step forward in advancing roadway safety, improving transportation infrastructure, and supporting collaborative safety initiatives throughout Union County. It was funded with a grant from the US Dept of Transportation via the SS4A program.
The SS4A Action Plan identifies potential safety improvements along 20 corridors within the County roadway network and serves as a long-term guide for reducing serious injuries and fatalities on local roads. Developed through extensive analysis, stakeholder coordination, and public engagement, the plan also supports updates to the County’s Transportation Policy, the adoption of a Complete Streets Policy, and the establishment of a Vision Zero goal. The County Commisioners also adopted the Complete Streets Policy and the Vision Zero goal at the April 30th meeting.
“The safety of everyone traveling throughout Union County, whether by car, bicycle, public transit, or on foot, remains a top priority,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Joseph C. Bodek. “This Action Plan gives us a strong framework to continue improving roadway safety while working collaboratively with our municipalities and regional partners to pursue meaningful infrastructure improvements and future funding opportunities.”
While not every recommendation identified in the plan will be implemented directly by the County, many projects will involve collaboration with municipalities or be led at the local level. The Action Plan also positions Union County to pursue additional federal and state transportation funding opportunities for future safety enhancements.
“By completing this Action Plan, Union County has created an important roadmap for future transportation safety improvements,” said Ed Oatman, Union County Manager. “The level of detail and analysis included in this plan reflects a tremendous collaborative effort and gives the County and its municipal partners a valuable tool for identifying priority projects, improving roadway conditions, and pursuing grant funding opportunities that will benefit residents for years to come.”
Union County is already pursuing a federal SS4A implementation grant for one corridor identified in the plan and is working with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) regarding a potential Highway Safety Improvement Program application for another corridor.
The Action Plan was recently reviewed by NJTPA representatives and fellow County Engineers throughout New Jersey and has been recognized as one of the most comprehensive and detailed SS4A plans completed in the state.
The project was developed with support from consulting firms WSP, Michael Baker International, and Mercer Planning Associates. Internally, the initiative was spearheaded by Assistant County Engineer Bernice Dieter in collaboration with Dan Loomis from the City of Elizabeth. The full Safe Streets and Roads for All Action Plan can be viewed online at https://ucnj.org/safe-streets/action-plan/.