Complete The Streets

The streets of our cities and towns are an important part of the livability of our communities. They ought to be for everyone, whether young or old, motorist or bicyclist, walker or wheelchair user, bus rider or shopkeeper. But too many of our streets are designed only for speeding cars, or worse, creeping traffic jams.

Now, in communities across the country, a movement is growing to complete the streets. States, cities and towns are asking their planners and engineers to build road networks that are safer, more livable, and welcoming to everyone.

Instituting a complete streets policy ensures that transportation planners and engineers consistently design and operate the entire roadway with all users in mind - including bicyclists, public transportation vehicles and riders, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

Here's July 22, 2009 Blog Post from Complete The Streets website:

By Stefanie Seskin, on July 22nd, 2009
Complete streets news comes in daily now, so we’re going to start a new feature in our blog to keep everyone - including us! - up to speed.

Hennepin County, MN: The Hennepin County Board unanimously approved a full complete streets policy on July 14. The policy integrates complete streets principles and practices into transportation and development projects across the county, recognizing need for flexibility in application. The policy is on page 188 of July 14’s County Board Packet.

Los Angeles, CA: The Green LA Transportation Working Group made a presentation on how to gain traction for complete streets in the city. (Green LA)

Lee’s Summit, MO: City Council is one step closer to adopting Lee’s Summit 360 Strategic Plan, the new long-term guide for growth and sustainability that includes a vision of complete streets citywide. The final plan will be presented on August 6, when Council will vote on adopting it. (Lee’s Summit Journal)

Buffalo, NY: Main Street in Downtown Buffalo, with a median, bike lanes, and new street trees, is the first complete street project under the City’s year-old complete streets policy. (Buffalo Rising)

Oswego, NY: Kathleen Harris, 92, spent three years walking hundreds of miles of sidewalks, documenting their poor condition. An unstoppable force for quality pedestrian accomodations! (CBS News)

North Carolina: Conservation Council of North Carolina’s recent newsletter discusses the DOT’s new Complete Streets Policy - “a big move for environmentally-friendly alternative transportation” (Jackson County Citizens Action Group)