Area group seeks safer streets

Safe Streets and Roads for All held its first public information session on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at Mid-State Technical College.

Residents had the opportunity to learn more about SS4A as well as share their own personal experiences regarding street safety in Portage County.

SS4A includes members from Stevens Point, Plover, Park Ridge and Whiting. Their aim to make the roadways of Portage County safer.

“We were awarded a grant from the federal Department of Transportation,” said Kristen Johnson, SS4A project manager. “The idea is to do a traffic study to pinpoint where the dangerous areas are.”

Trevor Roark is a member of the project team and helped wrote the grant. He was drawn to the cause as a long-time citizen of Portage County.

“Although I like to walk and bike sometimes, I don’t always feel safe,” he said.

The grant will fund a two-year traffic study that will host more community events over its time.

“Our main goal is to engage more people whether they live in rural communities or Plover,” Roark said, noting the importance of not only meeting a wide range of individuals but also learning how they use the road.

SS4A is working to create a safety action plan. By 2045, SS4A hopes to see zero traffic fatalities.

“This is called Vison Zero,” Roark said, explaining that this means also eliminating any traffic-related injuries as well.