New bill establishes WSDOT grant program for ‘complete streets’ projects
A new bill has been introduced in Olympia that would create a grant program for local governments that plan to improve streets using “complete streets” principles, which include ensuring that streets are designed for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit, in addition to drivers.
The bill would also direct the state Department of Transportation to work with local governments to improve highways using complete streets principles when those highways are main arteries in city limits, and especially when they act as small town Main Streets.
The group behind this bill is Transportation Choices Coalition, which urges alternatives to driving alone. The bill was introduced by Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver.
It sets up an account at the DOT for money that can only go to local governments that have approved complete streets ordinances. But the bill doesn’t seek money in the next biennium for the grant account; instead, it is being set up to accept any federal monies, and the bill advocates hope the federal government will approve monies just for complete streets-type projects in the next transportation bill.
The grant program would go to medium- and large-sized cities (probably 20,000 residents and above), according to an information sheet from Transportation Choices Coalition. Click here to see the sheet.
It also would require the DOT to work with local governments and stakeholders to find out what alternative transportations are liked in the community and build those highway projects with alternative transportation in mind.
Click here to see the legislation.
Click here to read the blog post by Andrew Austin, a policy associate at the coalition.
The bill is H.B. 2911. It was introduced today, and it’s been referred to the House transportation committee.
Click here to learn more about complete streets.
January 19th, 2010 at 6:37 am
Great news!
January 19th, 2010 at 10:48 am
Sounds like this program could be used to address a lot of the Lummi Tribes issues with Haxton.
January 19th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
I just re-read this. This REALLY sounds like a possible solution to the ferry issue. It would introduce the state into the mix, and based on a legitimate fund. Perhaps the county could agree to advocate for the Tribe regarding the improvements on Slater and Haxton, based on this program of “Alternate Transportation”. In big scheme of projects the Multi-Modal-izing of those two roads would not be that bad if backed by State/Federal Money. Seems to me if the County is smart they will jump all over this one.
January 20th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
I remember at one point a mention of a project in Tukwila on a state highway that would expand from 4 to 6 lanes but not include new sidewalks (the existing road didn’t have any). Hopefully this new law would make that kind of deathtrap project illegal.