Washington State Active Transportation Plan Draft Released

The Washington State Department of Transportation is undertaking a legally mandated update of its plan for bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

1 minute read

December 30, 2020, 8:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Gas Works Park

steve estvanik / Shutterstock

The state of Washington has published a draft of part one of its updated State Active Transportation Plan. The draft is the first step toward updating a plan approved by the state in 2008.

"Part one of the plan is in large part devoted to high level concepts around walking, biking, and rolling facilities, overall purpose and need, the current state of Washington’s active transportation infrastructure, and what WSDOT has heard from community member while conducting public outreach for the plan," according to the assessment of an article by Ryan Packer.

"Part two, which will come out next year, will cover specific policy topics around project implementation, performance measures, and next steps for developing an actual implementation plan- in other words, even deeper into the weeds," adds Packer.

The Washington State Department of Transportation, responsible for the plan, will receive public comment on the draft until February 15, 2021. Totaling 184 pages, the entire draft is a big bite to chew, so Packer is offering insight into a particularly rich section of the report—Chapter 4, which examines the potential costs of the state's active transportation needs and priorities.

Tuesday, December 29, 2020 in Seattle Bike Blog

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 14, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Cars driving under automatic congestion pricing toll machines on Broadway next to the Trump International Hotel in Manhattan, New York City.

Data reveals that NYC’s bet on congestion pricing has paid off

After almost two years of the program, reports show positive impacts on traffic and air quality and no disruptions to parking.

October 13, 2026 - Marcelo Remond

A crane lifts a manufactured house, with is rectangular and does not yet have a roof.

HUD modernizes 50-year-old manufactured housing framework

The Next Generation Manufactured Housing Action Plan establishes new energy-efficiency standards for manufactured homes, and new guidelines for anchoring them.

October 8, 2026 - Boston Real Estate Times

A rendering of Meta's proposed data center. We see the large gray buildings from above.

New Mexico spent millions drafting climate goals. Data centers are unraveling them

Three data centers in New Mexico and El Paso will release more emissions yearly than 2 million cars in the same timeframe.

15 minutes ago - El Paso Matters

An aerial view of Dayton with a river and many trees visible

This Ohio town is using AI to speed up transit analysis

The Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority’s new AI tool correctly determined riders’ preferred ways to reach key commuter routes.

1 hour ago - Cities Today

Tourists admiring the Seattle skyline.

Yet again, Seattle’s density zoning update is hit with delays

The city must now examine the ‘maximum possible development’ under a future zoning scenario, rather than the ‘maximum likely development.’

2 hours ago - The Urbanist