In 2015, the City of Battle Ground adopted a Complete Streets policy, formalizing the city’s practice and commitment to plan, design and construct a transportation system that is beneficial to individual users as well as the collective community. It was announced this week that the policy has been named one of the nation’s best.
The national organization Smart Growth America evaluated and ranked 82 Complete Streets policies adopted by cities across the nation in 2015. Battle Ground’s policy came in as the tenth best in the nation and is the first Complete Streets policy adopted in Southwest Washington.
Multi-modal transportation and connectivity are the key elements of Battle Ground’s Complete Streets policy. The city recognizes the importance of all forms of safe and efficient travel, whether it is by car, truck, bicycle, on foot or assistive device. The policy supports the use of sidewalks, shared use paths, bicycle lanes and accessible curb ramps with in a larger transportation system that provides connections between home, school, work, recreation and shopping. It is a Battle Ground specific policy that reflects the city’s values and sense of community.
“Safe and efficient travel is essential to the livability of our community,” said Mayor Philip Johnson, “and we can achieve this in a fiscally responsible manner as we grow and make improvements.”
The Complete Streets policy has been incorporated into the city’s Transportation Improvement and System Plans and will be implemented with new transportation projects and when improvements are made to existing roadways. The design for the South Parkway Improvement Project, scheduled to begin construction this year, includes Complete Streets elements such as bike lanes, sidewalks, and updated accessible curb ramps.
The formalized policy may also pave the way for the city to receive state and regional funding for future projects. The Washington State Legislature provides grant funding to cities who meet certain criteria, including the adoption of a Complete Streets policy.
To learn more about the Smart Growth America’s Best Complete Streets Polices of 2015, select the link below.