The state transportation commission previously declined to include bike and pedestrian infrastructure in its updated funding guidelines, despite a new state law requiring Complete Streets efforts in all Caltrans projects.
The California Transportation Commission agreed to include Complete Streets requirements in its updated guidelines for the State Highway Operations and Protection Program, reports Melanie Curry in Streetsblog California.
This represents a shift from October, when the commission indicated it would not include language about SB 960, a state law that requires Caltrans to plan for bike and pedestrian infrastructure, in the new guidelines. New language added to the guidelines calls for ensuring that SB 960 requirements are included and clarifies that bike and pedestrian projects are eligible for SHOPP funds.
As Curry explains, “The matter is urgent. Next year's SHOPP funding cycle is already being planned, and projects take a long time to go through planning and funding cycles. Meanwhile, SHOPP guidelines are updated only irregularly, with no strict deadline.” Now, with Complete Streets officially part of the state’s funding guidelines, street safety projects should have a better chance of getting the support they need.
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