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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Legislative Advisory: Nickels Proposes ‘Complete Streets’ for Pedestrian Safety, Bikes and Busses
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
3/27/2007 4:00:00 PM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alex Fryer (206) 684-8358
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Legislative Advisory: Nickels Proposes ‘Complete Streets’
for Pedestrian Safety, Bikes and Busses
SEATTLE – In an effort to make it safer to get around Seattle by foot
and to improve access for bikes and transit, Mayor Greg Nickels today
proposed “Complete Streets” legislation. It will require the city to
consider how best to accommodate more than just cars when designing or
rebuilding roads.
“We need to change the way we think about streets if we are going to
tackle our transportation challenges and improve the environment,”
Nickels said. “This legislation will ensure that we don’t just fix our
streets, but we look at how to make them better for all users. It will
make our streets safer for pedestrians and give cyclists, transit users
and motorists more choices when traveling our roadways.”
“Complete Streets” will improve pedestrian safety and access by
designing more streets with sidewalks, raised medians, better bus stop
placement, traffic-calming measures, and curb ramps and other measures.
The legislation would require the Seattle Department of Transportation
(SDOT) to do a comprehensive analysis for all significant street
projects. The proposal adds support to the city’s Transportation
Strategic Plan, which designates key biking, transit, freight and
pedestrian routes across the city. The proposal will create more
alternatives to driving alone in your car.
“No two streets are alike, and not every street is appropriate for all
forms of travel,” Nickels said. “But we must make sure that when we
design or repave a roadway, we are looking at all the ways to make it
safer and more efficient.”
The mayor’s “Complete Streets” proposal also recognizes truck drivers’
needs when navigating Seattle roadways. The proposal requires city
engineers and planners give freight traffic priority on major truck
routes.
“Our goal is to design and operate a transportation network in a manner
consistent with the surrounding community,” said SDOT Director Grace
Crunican. “Streets in a residential area will look different than in an
industrial area. But we will design both to balance the safety and
convenience for everyone using the road.”
Other legislation the mayor sent to the City Council today includes:
- An agreement with the organizers of the Northwest Folklife Festival to
hold the annual music, dance and arts event at Seattle Center through
2012.
- Proposed changes to the city’s Comprehensive Plan. Under state law the
plan, which shapes growth and development in the city, can only be
amended once a year.
- A three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Seattle Police
Management Association. The contract affects about 58 police lieutenants
and captains.
- A resolution adopting a new commodity trading risk management policy
for City Light.
- Various budget housekeeping measures.
Visit the mayor’s web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor. Get the mayor’s
inside view on efforts to promote transportation, public safety,
economic opportunity and healthy communities by signing up for The
Nickels Newsletter at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm
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Office of the
Mayor
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