7 Mass. communities recognized for ‘complete streets’ policies

Seven Massachusetts municipalities have been named among the top 16 in the country for their 2015 “complete streets” policies by Smart Growth America, a national coalition that promotes community-level planning for better quality housing, jobs and development.
 
Ashland, Framingham, Longmeadow, Lynn, Natick, Norwell and Weymouth were recognized for their policies, which were enacted last year. They join 30 Massachusetts cities and towns that had already adopted complete streets policies. Another 16 have enacted policies so far this year.
 
Under “complete streets” policies, local governments take into account not only motor vehicles but also pedestrians, cyclists and public transportation access in the planning, design and operational procedures undertaken for construction or renovation of streets, parks, sidewalks and parking lots.
 
The focus on complete streets intends to make considerations of transportation modes other than motor vehicles a routine exercise. Given the extensive variations of road, biking and walking networks nationwide, however, complete streets is understandably a context-sensitive approach that does not mandate that improvements be made every time a built environment project is undertaken. Cost, low usage or safety issues may make such improvements impractical.
 
Many complete streets considerations are low-cost and may be as simple as restriping existing crosswalks or improving markings for all road users. Commonly used construction changes may be included in a renovation to improve walking or bus access safety.
 
For many of these low-cost improvements, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation has initiated a funding program for cities and towns that have enacted complete streets policies. Municipalities can apply for two streams of funding: Technical assistance to develop a prioritization plan (up to $50,000), and construction funding (up to $400,000, not including design as an expense).
 
The current program has $12.5 million for fiscal 2016 and 2017. Future funding is contingent on appropriation in the state budget. The two-year pilot program, however, has been extended for five years in the state’s draft Capital Investment Plan.
 
For more information about the funding program, visit www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/8/docs/CompleteStreets/FundingProgramGuidance.pdf.
 
MassDOT is currently offering “Complete Streets 101” seminars through the Baystate Roads Program (http://baystateroads.eot.state.ma.us/workshops). Attendance is required for cities and towns wishing to access funding through the MassDOT Complete Streets Program.