PRESENTER: Presenter
Scott McClelland, Assistant Transportation and Construction Services Director
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of resolutions supporting the submission of projects to the U.S. Department of Transportation Safe Streets and Roads for All grant and approval of a resolution supporting the submission of a project to the U.S. Department of Transportation Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Construction Services
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On March 25, 2024, the City Council passed a resolution adopting the New Braunfels Street Safety Action Plan. This plan outlined measures to reduce speeds, protect and expand multimodal spaces, inform and educate the public on the benefits of such infrastructure, and work towards more streamlined implementation of safety measures. The plan also details funding options for proposed projects, including the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant program.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) SS4A program provides grants to local, regional, and tribal communities for implementation, planning, and demonstration activities as part of a systematic approach to prevent deaths and serious injuries on the nation’s roadways. The SS4A grant program offers Planning and Demonstration Grants for Safety Action Plans and supplemental safety planning and demonstration activities, and Implementation Grants to implement projects identified in existing action plans.
Staff have identified three projects to submit to the SS4A grant for both Implementation and Supplemental Planning funding. For Implementation, installing a roundabout to improve safety at the intersection of Landa St, N Seguin Ave, and Zink St. For Supplemental Planning, an update of the Street Safety Action Plan, the city’s Vision Zero document, and the Elliot Knox Blvd Multimodal Corridor Study.
The USDOT Rail Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program provides funding for highway-rail or pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that improve the safety and mobility of people and goods. A project type for consideration for the grant is grade separation at rail intersections.
In September 2025, the Texas Legislature passed H.B. 4230, declaring the Great Springs Project trail the Bicentennial Trail and supporting its completion by the Texas Bicentennial in 2036. The trail will connect existing and new trails, Texas historical sites, and iconic landscape features, including Barton, San Marcos, Comal, and San Antonio Springs, into a trail network from the Alamo to the State Capitol. The Waterway Lane Trail segment was included to connect pedestrians and bicyclists to the Common St and Gruene Rd improvements, towards Landa Park, the Dry Comal Creek, and then on to San Antonio.
On November 13, 2025, the city was awarded Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Transportation Alternatives funding for a pedestrian trail within the right-of-way dedicated for Waterway Lane. The trail ends at Old FM 306 due to constraints crossing the railroad tracks adjacent to Goodwin Lane.
Staff have identified one project to submit to the RCE Grant Program. A pedestrian bridge crossing the railroad tracks at Old FM 306 and connecting to the pedestrian improvements being installed on Goodwin Lane. This separated crossing increases safe mobility options for residents to travel to and from the northeast area of town.
ISSUE:
Continue to develop programs and safety measures to help meet the goals of the adopted Street Safety Action Plan through the use of Federal grants.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☒Enhanced Connectivity ☒Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☒Community Well-Being ☐N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
Projects selected for grant funding require a 20 percent local match.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Approval of resolutions of support to submit projects to the SS4A and RCE grant programs.