Complete Streets

A transportation system that accommodates all forms of transportation is more efficient in the travel space provided, more accessible, safer, more economical and sustainable.

Complete Streets is an approach to planning, designing, building, operating and maintaining the transportation system that enables safe and convenient access to destinations for all people, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders. It uses a set of tools or treatments that create a more balanced and resilient transportation system.

In 2022, the Washington State Legislature passed Senate Bill 5974 (PDF 738KB), the Move Ahead Washington package. It included a Complete Streets requirement added to RCW 47.24.060, which directs that “in order to improve the safety, mobility and accessibility of state highways, it is the intent of the Legislature that the department must incorporate the principles of complete streets with facilities that provide street access with all users in mind, including pedestrians, bicyclists and public transportation users” for “state transportation projects starting design on or after July 1, 2022 and that are $500,000 or more.”

Complete Streets background

• Complete Streets Implementation Project Delivery Memo (PDF 882KB).
• Design Bulletin: Level of Traffic Stress (PDF 702KB).
• Complete Streets Glossary (PDF 144KB).
• FHWA Complete Streets Primer training video.

Other Complete Streets programs

Transportation Improvement Board's Complete Streets Awards

Connect with a Complete Streets region (PDF 507KB) lead

• Eastern Region: email Shea Suski
• North Central Region: email Kathy Murray
• Northwest Region (Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Island counties): email Elizabeth Sjostrom
• Northwest Region (Snohomish, King counties): email Zack Howard
• Olympic Region: email Yvette Liufau
• Southwest Region: email Chelsey Martin
• South Central Region: email Keith Hall
• Washington State Ferries: email Frank Fiedler IV