California Transportation Commission Reluctant to Incorporate Complete Streets Guidelines

The agency plans to update its road design guidelines by the end of the year — before a new law that prioritizes pedestrian and cyclist safety takes effect.

1 minute read

October 23, 2024, 10:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Busy pedestrian crosswalk on wide boulevard in Santa Monica, California lined with tall palm trees against golden hour light.

Mirko Vitali / Adobe Stock

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) is rushing to make updates to the State Highway Operations and Protection Program (SHOPP) in advance of a new Complete Streets law that takes effect in January, reports Melanie Curry for Streetsblog California.

“S.B. 960 includes major revisions to Caltrans responsibilities, particularly around transparency and showing progress towards Complete Streets goals,” Curry explains. But the agency plans to finish updating its guidelines by the end of the year without incorporating the changes called for in the law.

According to Curry, “SHOPP guidelines are not required to be updated regularly, and S.B. 960 does not include a deadline to incorporate its provisions - so not addressing them in this update could indefinitely delay including complete streets.”

Curry notes that the CTC could take steps to ensure compliance with the law now, such as posting documents online before they finalize the updates to allow for public comment. In an April letter to Caltrans, advocacy coalition ClimatePlan urged the agency to address SB 960 and take note of the California Bicycle Coalition’s recent Incomplete Streets report, which highlights the state’s slow progress on building safer infrastructure for cyclists, pedestrians, and transit users.

Monday, October 21, 2024 in Streetsblog California

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Yellow electric school bus with preteen students exiting.

California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses

The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.

April 25 - Associated Press

City Hall building in Austin, Texas.

Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund

A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.

April 25 - Spectrum Local News

Brick school building with mid-sized tree on front lawn.

Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards

Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.

April 25 - Governing