Portland, Maine - Last night the Portland City Council unanimously adopted a Complete Streets policy for the city. The transportation policy calls for the construction, maintenance and operation of roads that fit the particular land use and transportation context as well as give full consideration to and balance the needs of all users of the street including motorists, pedestrians, transit riders, bicyclists, commercial vehicles and emergency responders. Last night’s action completes a year-long effort to develop a complete streets policy that fits the community. Support for this initiative was provided by the Communities Putting Prevention to Work grant awarded to the Healthy Portland program to prevent obesity and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Sustainable Communities Building Blocks program.
“The roadway system is every community’s common link; it is the public space that connects nearly every
person in a community and provides them with a means of transportation and recreation,” stated City of Portland Mayor Michael Brennan. “By adopting a Complete Streets policy, the city has taken an important step to assure that each dollar spent on roadways and walkways is done so that all users will benefit now and into the future. Portland is proud of its reputation as a walkable and bikeable community and having a clear well developed complete streets policy will help us continue to build a city that meets our sustainability and public health goals.”
Complete Streets recognizes the important role of a balanced and environmentally sound transportation system for Portland’s economic growth, community livability, public health, and overall sustainability. By providing the necessary infrastructure to encourage multiple modes of travel, complete streets better serve people of all ages and abilities, reduce motor vehicle congestion, encourage physical activity, and decrease individual transportation costs. The city’s policy encourages street connectivity and applies to both new and retrofit projects.
With the policy adopted, staff will begin to incorporate Complete Streets in upcoming projects including the planning and design initiatives for Franklin Street, Forest Avenue and Outer Congress Street. Complete Streets supports existing policy and planning efforts, including Healthy Portland, the Safe Routes to School program, the Portland Comprehensive Plan, and the city’s sustainability goals.
For more information on the city’s Complete Streets policy, visit http://misc.portlandmaine.gov/current.pdf (page 351).
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