Legislators Want More Use Of Complete Streets (Jamestown Post-Journal)

Sen. Sean Ryan, D-Buffalo, and Assemblywoman Didi Barrett, D-Poughkeepsie, have introduced S.8394/A.8624 to require use of Complete Street principles for transportation projects that use federal or state funding.

The Complete Streets policy, which has been adopted by Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties and several area municipalities, recommends all modes of travel be considered in the design of projects. Projects are evaluated by the County’s Complete Streets interdepartmental task force for the feasibility of installing sidewalks, paving of shoulders, lane striping, bicycle lanes, share the road signs, crosswalks, road configurations, traffic calmers and other similar initiatives.

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While Complete Streets principles are being used throughout much of the state, Ryan and Barrett said the pace of change has been too slow in part because compliance with Complete Streets policies isn’t required for enough projects. His change is simple, changing the phrase transportation projects receiving “federal or state” funding to “both federal and state” funding. Doing so, the legislators reason, will bring more projects under Complete Streets guidelines.

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