The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (Metro) newly adopted Complete Streets Policy, designed to help plan a better street environment for all types of users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit, motorists and others, has garnered national recognition as one of the nation’s best by Smart Growth America’s National Complete Streets Coalition.
Recently adopted in October 2014, Metro’s Complete Streets Policy is now included in The Best Complete Streets Policies of 2014 report released today by the National Complete Streets Coalition. The coalition reviewed over 70 policies passed in the United States in 2014, and scored each according to 10 elements of an ideal Complete Streets policy. Metro’s policy was recognized as one of the top 10 policies in the nation.
The Complete Streets Policy furthers the vision laid out in Metro’s Countywide Sustainability Planning Policy and Implementation Plan, which was adopted by the Metro Board in 2012, and explores specific ways to increase access for all users by making streets more “complete” and promotes local partnerships and incentive programs. The policy is a tool to help guide Metro to better coordinate within various agency functions and departments as well as between partner organizations that have influence or jurisdiction over public streets and other facilities.
“Los Angeles is changing the way it looks at transportation,” said Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Chair Garcetti. “Metro's Complete Streets Policy is a guide in our war against traffic and helps us bring to bear all the tools at our disposal, from transit to technology to bicycle and pedestrian improvements.”
Nationwide, a total of 712 jurisdictions in 48 states have Complete Streets policies in place.
“In towns and cities small and large, residents, elected officials, and transportation professionals have agreed to the Complete Streets vision through policy adoption,” said Roger Millar, director of the National Complete Streets Coalition. “When implemented, these policies can make streets safer for everyone and support the unique character and future goals of any community.”
