Caltrans Issues New Complete Streets Policy

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has issued a new policy that "recognizes that streets are not only used for transportation but are also valuable community spaces," acknowledging the need to prioritize infrastructure for pedestrians, bike riders, and transit users in every Caltrans project. According to Melanie Curry, the policy solidifies the goals laid out in a prior Complete Streets plan from 2014. The new plan provides a list of "high-priority implementation actions" meant to train engineers and embed design flexibility and street safety design principles into Caltrans projects.

As Curry notes, "One thing the list reveals is that Caltrans is still taking the first steps towards truly incorporating Complete Streets into its projects, despite years of talking about it." Nevertheless, the new policy takes a stronger stance on Complete Streets elements, making them a required rather than recommended component of projects.

"The new policy states, unequivocally, that the priority of the state transportation department is 'to encourage and maximize walking, biking, transit, and passenger rail' for all kinds of reasons, including climate, health, equity, and environmental ones, as well as 'to foster socially and economically vibrant, thriving, and resilient communities.'" While Complete Streets advocates object to some of Caltrans' bike policies—such as allowing minimally protective sharrows on high-speed streets—the shift in focus could have a significant impact on how road projects across the state are designed and implemented.