New Water Quality Podcast: Benton County has released episode 4 of the “Benton County Public Podcast”. The new episode looks into water quality, testing and monitoring, compliance, emerging issues, and protecting local water systems with Benton County Environmental Health.
This episode features Benton County Environmental Health Manager Scott Kruger, Benton County Public Information Officer Cory Grogan and host Dan Crall.
“Benton County Public Podcast is a collaborative effort between the County’s Public Information Office, other County departments, including the Board of Commissioners, and partner agencies. Podcasts will cover a variety of topics, including updates on County projects, public safety issues, public health initiatives, and community event,” said the release.
“We are thrilled to launch this new podcast and provide community members with a new way to stay informed and connected to their local government,” said Public Information Officer Cory Grogan. “The podcast will give us the opportunity to take a deeper dive on topics the community cares about.”
For more information about the podcast and to access the latest episodes, you can also contact pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.
Road Safety Planning Funding Requests: The Benton County Board of Commissioner will look at a grant request for ‘Safe Streets and Roads for All’ from Benton County Public Works at their Tuesday, August 1 meeting.
The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) is soliciting applications for Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grants.
Funds that are awarded will go to support planning, infrastructure, behavioral, and operational initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets involving all roadway users, including pedestrians; bicyclists; public transportation, personal conveyance, micromobility users; motorists; and commercial vehicle operators.
“The County is requesting funds for a Safety Action Plan not just to analyze freight and modal corridors, but to also assess other high crash corridors and intersections in the County that would benefit from additional safety measures,” said Laurel Byer with Benton County Public Works.
“From the safety analysis performed for the County TSP update, it was shown that most fatalities and injury crashes occur on rural facilities outside of an Urban Growth Boundary. Most crashes on rural roads involve speeding and/or roadway departure. Six different intersections were identified with high critical crash rates and 13 County roadways were also highlighted for potential corridor safety improvements.”
The total project cost is estimated to be $400,000; and with a 20% match, the grant request will be approximately $320,000.
“If the County receives the grant, the matching funds will need to be available during Fiscal Year 2023-25 and would be approximately $80,000, which would come from the road fund,” said Byer.
Free County Fair Shuttle: The Corvallis Transit System (CTS) will offer a fareless service to the 2023 Benton County Fair beginning at the Downtown Transit Center (DTC), with stops at two FREE Park & Ride locations.
This year’s shuttle will stop at both dedicated Park & Ride locations on the way to, and returning from, the Fair. A map of the route can be found at this link: Fair Shuttle Map
The shuttle service will begin on Wednesday August 2, and run Thursday August 3 from 3:30 pm to 11:30 pm, and Friday August 4 and Saturday August 5 from 4:30 pm to 12:30 am, allowing riders time to enjoy the late-night Fair concerts.
For more information visit: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/cts/page/cts-will-operate-free-2023-benton-county-fair-shuttle-august-2-5
By Jennifer Warner
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