Maryland transportation officials have updated the Complete Streets policy for the first time since 2012 when it was first issued. The update expands the reach of the policy and makes it more difficult for projects to be exempt.
The new policy will cover all major transportation projects in the state. It also places an emphasis for the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, and people using mobility devices.
The policy applies when a capital improvement project is being implemented. This includes constructing or reconstructing a “roadway, intersection, or bridge,” permitting new or reconstructed streets to access right-of-way, or “when there is an opportunity to improve safety for all users by applying proactive engineering safety countermeasures to resurfacing projects.”
The new policy took effect June 1, but will be fully implemented beginning in 2025 across all Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) component agencies.
Transportation officials want the new policy to put safety above everything else.
“We must do more to save lives and prevent fatal crashes in Maryland,” said state Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld in a statement.
The new policy has three goals: designing systems for a wide range of travel options, listening to impacted communities, and delivering a commitment to safety.
In 2023, Maryland has over 600 roadway fatalities for the first time in over a decade. This year, Maryland has seen a 5% decrease in roadway fatalities according to state data.
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Source: The Baltimore Banner, GGWash.org
