Caltrans Releases Complete Streets Action Plan

The agency’s detailed list of actions highlights the many changes needed to truly implement Complete Streets principles into California road construction and maintenance.

2 minute read

July 19, 2022, 12:00 PM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Protected Bike Lane Los Angeles

A protected bike lane in Los Angeles, California. | Medgar Parrish / Flickr

The California Department of Transportation has issued a Complete Streets Action Plan detailing the efforts the agency will undertake to promote more equitable and safe transportation. As Melanie Curry reports for Streetsblog California, “The actions are categorized into general areas such as data collection, policies, and guidance, and includes which division or district is responsible and when the task is to be completed. This action plan focuses on tasks to be done within 2022 and 2023.”

In an introduction to the plan, Caltrans director Tony Tavares writes, “As a Department, we recognize that investments in walking, biking, transit, and passenger rail can produce meaningful and transformative projects that can help to address legacy impacts on underserved communities that have been historically segmented and harmed by our state’s transportation network.”

According to Curry, actions planned for 2022 include “Developing minimum expectations for complete streets facilities,” “Developing an active transportation benefit/cost tool that can be used for project evaluations statewide,” and “Creating a database of active transportation projects on the state highway system that are ready for funding.” Because Caltrans districts across the state are at different stages in developing their Complete Streets plan, the document outlines different actions based on a district’s specific needs.

Curry notes that “some of the tasks are extremely basic first steps towards building capacity at Caltrans to make this policy switch,” pointing out that “The detailed task list also shows just how far the state needs to go before Caltrans can claim that Complete Streets are fully incorporated into its work.”

Wednesday, July 13, 2022 in Streetsblog California

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

Graphic with blue background, flags, and text reading 2024 Presidential Election

Where 2024 Presidential Candidates Stand on 12 Issues Important to Urban Planners

Whether you’re yet undecided or have already cast your early vote, here is a roundup of the key positions of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on important urban planning policies.

October 31, 2024 - Planetizen

Amtrak Coast Starlight passenger train passing over bridge in Altamont Pass, California.

Amtrak Expanding Service in California’s Central Valley

Amtrak is planning a major expansion to the passenger rail lines connecting the Central Valley and the Bay Area.

November 4, 2024 - The Modesto Bee

Commercial street in small rural U.S. town with storefronts and clocktower.

Progressive Planning in Ideologically Conservative Communities

Planners must work in diverse political environments including conservative jurisdictions that are skeptical of new issues and perspectives. Here are ways to reconcile conflicting goals.

November 7, 2024 - Todd Litman

Aerial view of rainbow painted four-way crosswalk in the Castro district, San Francisco, California.

San Francisco Implements ‘Daylighting’ at Intersections

Vehicles are prohibited from parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk as part of the city’s Vision Zero efforts to eliminate traffic deaths and make roads safer.

November 12 - SFGate

View of Washington state capitol dome in Olympia, Washington at golden hour.

Washington Voters Keep Carbon Tax

An initiative that would have ended the state’s “cap and invest” program failed, leaving the program in place.

November 12 - Governing

Close-up of four Tesla sedans parked and plugged in at charging station.

The Future of Electric Vehicles Under Trump

Will Elon Musk’s influence temper Trump’s anti-EV stance?

November 12 - Wired

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.