BILL NUMBER: S5130

SPONSOR: KENNEDY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the highway law, in relation to enabling safe access to
public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design princi-
ples

 
PURPOSE:

To include, when possible, complete street design features in resurfac-
ing, maintenance and pavement recycling projects and further enable safe
access to public roads for all users

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: amends subdivision (a) of section 331 of the highway law to
include complete streets design features in resurfacing, maintenance and
pavement recycling projects that are subject to the department of trans-
portation's oversight.
              

Section 2: amends subdivision (c) of section 313 of highway law to
address demonstrated lack of need.

Section 3: sets the effective date for this act.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

New York State's Compete Street Law, which requires the Department of
Transportation to consider the convenient access and mobility on the
road network by all users of all ages, including motorists, pedestrians,
bicyclists, and public transportation users through the use of complete
street design features, only applies to projects classified as
construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation. The law specifically
excludes projects classified as resurfacing, maintenance and pavement
recycling, which dramatically decreases the projects in which complete-
streets design features are used.

As a result of the state Department of Transportation's Preservation
First policy, nearly 80 percent of transportation funding and numerous
road projects exclude pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure, according
to the Tri-State Transportation Campaign.  This exclusion of a key
component of complete-streets design runs contrary to the original
intent of the state's Complete Streets law, and this bill would address
the issue and strengthen the law.

By reforming our state's Complete Streets law, this legislation would
make dangerous intersections and roadways safer for pedestrians and
bicyclists. It would ensure our children have safer routes to school and
provide local families with more opportunities to walk and bike safely.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2019-20: S1549A
2017-18: S.1801 Referred to Transportation
2015-16: S.764 Referred to Transportation
2013-14: S.6340 Referred to Transportation

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE PATE:

This act shall take effect immediately.