Bastrop joins push for road safety, seeks grants

BASTROP — No deaths were reported from traffic crashes in Bastrop last year, and the city is taking steps to keep it that way.

At its May 12 meeting, City Council committed to reducing fatalities and serious injury crashes by 50% by 2035 and eliminating them entirely by 2050, aligning with the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) and Texas Road to Zero initiatives.

The pledge comes as Texas Department of Transportation data shows 446 crashes involving 905 vehicles were reported in Bastrop in 2025, with nearly 1,200 people involved. Countywide, 2,335 crashes were reported during the same period.

Mayor Pro Tem John Kirkland said at first he was concerned about the state’s push for a zero fatality goal. “The only conceivable way to do that is to shut off our roads,” Kirkland said. “Given that the goal is not actually achievable, is that a concern? Is there a penalty for not getting to that?”

Business and Community Development Manager Jill Strube said there is no punishment tied to the goal and that the effort is about establishing a downward trend.

Council members approved two pedestrian safety projects to be submitted as SS4A grant applications.

The first would improve crosswalks, striping and signage at Chestnut and Martin Luther King Jr. streets. The second would improve intersections, signage and crosswalks on Texas 95 from north of Pine Street to south of Emile Street.

Officials said the projects would cost $1.2 million total, with an approved grant covering 80% and the city responsible for about $240,000.