The Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council (RTC) Board of Directors has adopted the Gorge Safety Action Plan, a significant milestone in advancing transportation safety across Klickitat and Skamania counties.
Made possible through a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) planning grant, the Gorge Safety Action Plan establishes a long-term strategy for reducing fatal and serious injury crashes while creating a safer, more connected transportation system for everyone who lives, works, and travels in the Gorge.
The plan was developed through a collaborative process involving local jurisdictions, partner agencies, community organizations, and residents. Using crash data, community input, and technical analysis, the planning team identified key safety challenges, developed a shared vision and goals, and recommended strategies and priority projects to improve safety for people traveling by car, truck, bicycle, transit, and on foot.
Beyond identifying transportation safety needs, the plan also creates new opportunities to bring federal investment to the region. Adoption of the Gorge Safety Action Plan has already enabled Skamania County to apply for federal implementation funding to improve safety along Wind River Highway—an exciting example of how planning can lead directly to meaningful transportation improvements.
The Gorge Safety Action Plan builds on RTC's Clark County Safety Action Plan, adopted in June 2025. Together, the two plans provide a coordinated regional framework for improving transportation safety across Southwest Washington and position local communities to pursue future implementation funding.
These efforts support the national Safe System Approach and reinforce the region's commitment to a future with zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries. While achieving that vision will require sustained collaboration and investment, these plans provide a strong foundation for making meaningful, lasting safety improvements across the region.
The final Gorge Safety Action Plan is available on RTC's website: https://rtc.wa.gov/studies/gorge-safety-action-plan/