The new guidelines are a start, but will local districts enforce them?
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) released a set of Complete Streets guidelines in January, which promise to include pedestrians and other road users when considering safety and streetscape design.
“But strong guidance from headquarters is one thing,” writes Melanie Curry in Streetsblog California. “Translating that to the districts, and actually getting these recommendations on the ground, is another.”
To that end, Curry calls on state legislators to pass S.B. 960, a state bill introduced by Senator Scott Wiener that would force Caltrans districts to prioritize true Complete Streets projects, not just those that include minimal accommodations such as ‘bike-friendly’ gutter grates. “Caltrans districts shouldn't be able to claim credit for fulfilling only the most basic and simple of what are listed as ‘complete streets’ elements. Even the best policy on the books - even this new high-quality Design Information Bulletin - can't force them.”
FULL STORY: Caltrans Releases Long-Awaited Complete Streets Guidelines
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