Last Tuesday, Tupelo and Hernando joined the growing number of communities establishing a healthier, safer future through complete streets. Both Mississippi cities adopted complete streets policies as part of a move toward improved public health.
The American Society of Landscape Architects recently helped craft legislation that designates the fourth week of April “National Streetscaping Week”. Today’s post discusses the importance of streetscape, including the many benefits of safe, attractive, green – and complete! – streets.
Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced a sea change in federal transportation policy yesterday, issuing a new policy statement that calls for full inclusion of bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit riders of all ages and abilities in transportation projects – essentially, a Complete Streets policy.
Last week, I attended the White House’s Clean Energy Economy Forum “Livability and Sustainable Communities – Taking Action for a Clean Energy Future.” Clearly, the Administration wants to lead – by providing communities with the resources to innovate.
This week we report on: three new policies adopted by Bozeman, MT, Franklin, PA, and the Madison County Council of Governments in Indiana and policy progress in several more communities and states.
The Department of Transportation just announced the recipients of its $1.5 billion TIGER grant program,the US DOT’s first attempt at a competitive grant program where projects of all modes compete based on their ability to meet national goals. Complete streets projects across the country will be funded.
Tupelo, Mississippi is best known as the birthplace of Elvis Presley, but its fame may grow even larger next week. At Tuesday’s meeting, the City Council is set to vote on a complete streets ordinance.
The U.S. Department of Transportation was in snowy Minneapolis yesterday for the second stop of its Reauthorization Listening Tour. They heard plenty about complete streets.
Margo Pedroso, Deputy Director of the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, writes about the need for safe ways to walk and bicycle to and from schools across the country, and why complete streets is key to success.