Those unhappy with the roads and sidewalks in and around the University may be in for a treat. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, introduced “The Complete Streets Act of 2008” bill in the U.S. Senate on March 3 with Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., co-sponsoring it. “The bill promotes streets to be designed in a way that would be safe for all people – motorists, bus riders, bicyclists and pedestrians, including the elderly, children and people with disabilities,” said Lisa Jacobson, Fellow of Smart Growth America for the National Complete Streets Coalition. She said communities with “Complete Streets” policies are healthier, have less traffic congestion and reduce their carbon emissions. Several organizations such as AARP, the National Center for Bicycling and Walking and the American Public Transportation Association have endorsed Harkin’s bill. Jacobson said communities such as college campuses will have to accommodate needs for all methods of transportation. “For those on college campuses, ‘Complete Streets’ would mean that the infrastructure would be there to walk/bike safely to school on sidewalks and bike lanes, as well as use proper crosswalks,” Jacobson said. “Other design features would be put in to slow down traffic, and it would create safe environments for those on foot.” Dominic Liberatore, interim executive director for the Thunderhead Alliance, an organization serving on the National Complete Streets Coalition Steering Committee, said even though states such as Pennsylvania, Oregon and Illinois have adopted “Complete Streets” policies, the National Complete Streets Coalition is trying to make it a national policy. “We want departments of transportation, whether it is the U.S. Department of Transportation or state DOTs, to create a transportation system that is accessible for all people, whether they are driving, using public transit, walking or biking,” Liberatore said. Liberatore said any non-highway project that would be funded using federal transportation dollars will be used to develop “Complete Streets.” He said individual communities and states that adopt the bill’s policies can also use their local and state transportation dollars. Gary Graham, director of the Office of Parking, Traffic and Transportation, said his office is supportive of anything that would be helpful and enhance the safety and well-being for both the University students and the community. “Easy Streets is the first step in enhancing the transportation and traffic needs of campus that would be inclusive for bikers and pedestrians that is in line with what this bill is seeking to implement,” Graham said.
—-Contact Louis Pelletteri III at [email protected]