Federal Grant Funds Road Safety Pilots in Coryell County Region

The Central Texas Council of Governments has secured $548,000 in federal funding to update its 2022 Safety Action Plan and deploy temporary traffic safety treatments in seven Central Texas counties, including Coryell County. The update targets higher-risk locations identified in the earlier study, prioritizing quick-to-install measures to reduce crashes and improve pedestrian safety.

Planned interventions emphasize temporary fixes and pilot projects in work zones, school zones and other pedestrian-heavy spots. Proposed measures cited by the council include traffic circles, traffic calming devices and leading pedestrian intervals at crosswalks. The pilots are intended to be measurable demonstrations: after a year of data collection the council may apply for additional funds to convert successful pilots into permanent infrastructure.

Uryan Nelson, Director of Planning and Regional Services for the Central Texas Council of Governments, said the money will be used for temporary fixes and pilot projects that can be measured and, if successful, made permanent later. The grant requires a 20 percent local match; the council plans to provide that match through staff time and in-kind contributions rather than direct cash from local governments. That approach reduces immediate budget pressure on county and city treasuries while keeping local officials involved in project selection and oversight.

For Coryell County residents, the program could mean near-term changes on roads used by schoolchildren, commuters and people on foot. Temporary traffic circles and speed-calming devices can be installed faster than concrete reconstruction, allowing planners to observe effects on vehicle speeds, crossing safety and traffic flow before committing to long-term construction. Targeting work zones also aims to protect road workers and passing drivers where conditions change frequently.

The update will cover Bell, Coryell, Hamilton, Lampasas, Milam, Mills and San Saba counties, reflecting a regional approach to problems that cross jurisdictional boundaries. Coordinated planning helps ensure that treatments tested in one community can inform decisions in neighboring jurisdictions, an efficient use of federal resources and local expertise.

By prioritizing pilot projects and measurable outcomes, the Central Texas Council of Governments positions the region to translate federal investment into evidence-based, locally informed safety improvements. The one-year pilot window will be critical for residents and officials to assess which low-cost measures most effectively reduce risk and merit permanent installation.