Mid-America Regional Council unveils major update to the regional Complete Streets plan for the Kansas City region
The Mid-America Regional Council, which is the regional planning organization for 8 counties in the Kansas City region, has announced a major update to its regional Complete Streets Policy:
Complete Streets are advanced in this policy so that transportation investments may result in a rising quality of mobility for everyone. . . . this policy intends to enable Complete Street treatments to the maximum extent possible.
Complete Streets are streets that provide a complete and safe transportation network for all modes of transportation - from motor vehicles to public transit to walking and bicycling - and for people of all ages and all ability levels.
The update took about eight months, involved extensive input from area communities, leaders, citizens, and MARC committees, and is the fourth major update to the region's Complete Streets Policy.
One reason a Complete Streets Policy is so important at the Metropolitan Planning Organization level is the MPO administers most federal transportation grants for the region. Complete Streets priorities are then built into the scoring criteria for the grants - changing the types of projects that are submitted and encouraging inclusion of more bicycle & pedestrian elements within all road and street projects. MARC has seen the quality of grant applications rise dramatically as the Complete Streets policy was introduced and then refined over the years.
More about MARC's new Complete Streets policy:
- New Complete Streets Policy
- Complete Streets Handbook (2018)
- Complete Streets Network Assessment (map showing regional corridors and connectivity)
- Complementing this, the region has a Major River Crossings policy, providing for bike/ped accommodation when major river bridges in the region are built or updated
From MARC's Complete Streets page:
WHY DESIGN COMPLETE STREETS?
Improve public safety
By making roads more accessible for all modes of transportation, complete streets provide safe and convenient travel for persons of all ages and abilities, including children and the elderly.
Promote good health
Complete streets make active living easy by providing streets and sidewalks that encourage walking and biking. They build a physical environment where residents are connected and mobile.
Provide economic benefits
Complete streets create attractive transportation corridors that make businesses both inviting and easily accessible. Attractive corridors increase property value and visibility for both homes and business owners.
Enhance environmental quality
Not only do complete streets improve air quality by providing space that encourages low-emission travel, they include effective green infrastructure that retain and treat stormwater runoff and improve water quality. Also, complete streets provide landscaping elements that can reduce the heat island effect in urban communities.
Ensure long-term savings
Costs for complete streets might be more initially, but are offset by the many long-term benefits they bring. Complete streets may reduce construction and maintenance costs when roadways are narrowed and stormwater is more efficiently managed.
Find out more about Complete Streets, sample Complete Streets policies from around Missouri and the U.S., and how to incorporate Complete Streets into your city, county, or region, on MoBikeFed's Complete Streets page.
Increasing the number of Complete Streets policies in Missouri is one of the top goals in MoBikeFed's Vision for Bicycling and Walking in Missouri. Your ongoing membership and generous financial support help turn our Vision into reality!
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