The Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG), with support from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), is launching a Regional Safety Action Plan aimed at improving roadway safety across Blanco County. This effort supports TxDOT’s statewide End the Streak initiative, which seeks to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries on Texas roads.
Rural counties such as Blanco face unique roadway challenges. Higher travel speeds and limited infrastructure may amplify the severity of crashes while longer emergency response times may delay critical treatment for crash participants. Blanco County has recorded the highest crash severity per capita among the 10 counties in the CAPCOG region over the past six years. In 2024, 128 crashes with injuries took place in the county. This amounts to 1,081 crashes per 100,000 residents and is an increase of 59.7 percent over the past five years — outpacing all other counties in the region.
“Every crash that results in an injury or fatality affects families and communities,” said Charles Simon, CAPCOG Regional Planning and Services director. “Through this plan, we are identifying the most dangerous roads and intersections and laying the groundwork for projects that can save lives.”
CAPCOG’s planning process for the Regional Safety Action Plan will:
- Analyze crash data, roadway conditions, and other hazards across Blanco County.
- Visit high-risk locations to assess safety and emergency access.
- Interview local staff and community stakeholders to understand traffic safety, disaster response, and first responder concerns.
- Identify priority corridors and intersections for need of improvement.
- Recommend projects that enhance safety, strengthen disaster resilience, and are shovel-ready for future funding.
The project will begin in September 2025 with a final plan expected by April 2026. CAPCOG will conduct similar research in Lee and Llano counties, creating a regional approach to traffic safety improvement throughout the region.
