Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles

25 Co-sponsors

• Martin Malavé Dilan
• Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.
• Tony Avella
• Neil D. Breslin
• Ruben Diaz
• Thomas K. Duane
• Adriano Espaillat
• John J. Flanagan
• Mark Grisanti
• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• Timothy M. Kennedy
• Jeffrey D. Klein
• Liz Krueger
• William J. Larkin Jr.
• Betty Little
• Jack M. Martins
• Velmanette Montgomery
• Suzi Oppenheimer
• Kevin S. Parker
• Bill Perkins
• Gustavo Rivera
• John L. Sampson
• José M. Serrano
• Toby Ann Stavisky
• David J. Valesky

BILL NUMBER:S5411A

Title of bill

An act to amend the highway law, in relation to enabling safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles

Purpose

Enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of this bill provides legislative findings.

Section 2 subdivision (a) of this bill would provide for the consideration of complete street design features for projects undertaken by the Department of Transportation or undertaken by municipalities and public authorities that receive both state and federal funding and are subject to department of transportation oversight. Subdivision (b) of this section provides a list of features and elements that may be considered in complete street design. Subdivision (c) of this section provides that if complete street design features are not considered, a publicly available document shall set forth the reason why these features were not considered. This subdivision also lists exceptions that would impede the use of complete street features. Subdivision (d) provides that this section shall not require the department, public authority or municipality to expend any monies for complete street design, other than monies provided by the state and federal governments for complete street features. Subdivision (d) does not preclude the department, public authority or municipality from spending monies from its own budget for complete street design features.

Section 3 of this bill provides that the Department of Transportation shall produce a report within two years of the effective date of this section demonstrating how the Department has complied with this section and changed its procedures to institutionalize complete street design features into the planning, project scoping, design and implementation of projects subject to this section. The report shall include review and guidance regarding certain highway features. The report should also include any best practices identified by the Department, whether created by the department or identified from another source.

Justification

Working collaboratively with all interested stakeholders the Legislature and the Governor have agreed to establish a complete street design policy that safely and cost effectively facilitates access and improved mobility for pedestrians, cyclists, mass transportation riders and motorists of all ages and abilities. Such a policy benefits our environment through improved air quality, decreased traffic congestion and the preservation of our natural assets. Our citizens' benefit, not only from the environmental advantages derived from a complete street policy, but

from the health benefits associated with active forms of transportation.

This bill establishes a complete street policy that will consider the needs of all users of our roads by encouraging good planning to benefit a variety of citizens and encourage sustainable communities while at the same time recognizing the economic hardship facing our governments today.

This legislation would ensure that complete streets design principles are utilized where they would be most needed, most effective, and most beneficial to improve safety for all who use our roadways

Legislative history

2010: S.5711-B/A.8587-B Passed the Senate

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

One hundred and eightieth day after it shall have become law.