Otter Tail County Task Force Targets March Adoption of Road Safety Plan

A multi-stakeholder task force guiding Otter Tail County's federally backed road safety effort set its sights on March adoption of a comprehensive Safety Action Plan, with County Engineer Krysten Foster calling public participation essential to both the plan's success and the county's ability to land future federal funding.

The Safety Action Plan, developed under the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All initiative, aims to reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries across the county by identifying high-risk areas and prioritizing data-driven, community-informed solutions. To gather that community input, the Otter Tail County Highway Department launched an interactive online comment map allowing residents to pinpoint specific safety concerns on county-owned roads and facilities.

The map is designed to capture on-the-ground knowledge that traffic data alone cannot provide. Residents can flag hazardous intersections, inadequate pedestrian infrastructure, and locations with a history of frequent near-miss incidents, giving the Task Force a geographic picture of where county roads are falling short.

Foster framed the public input phase as directly tied to the county's financial prospects at the federal level. "By sharing your experiences and concerns, you're helping Otter Tail County build a safer, more accessible transportation network for all," she said. "This is a critical step toward securing federal funding for future safety projects."

The Task Force steering the plan includes local leaders, transportation professionals, and community representatives. The group worked toward adoption of the Safety Action Plan in March, a timeline that would position Otter Tail County to move from planning to implementation and pursue federal grants under the Safe Streets and Roads for All program.

Residents can access the interactive map and review the full plan at ottertailcounty.gov/sap. The Otter Tail County Highway Department can also be reached by phone at 218-998-8000 or in person at 500 W. Fir Ave. in Fergus Falls.