Complete Streets

Learn how we are creating a system that enables safe, convenient access for all types of transportation options - walking, biking, driving and riding transit.

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.”

Three images of complete streets. The one on the left is a road with a bike lane and sidewalk, a bicyclists with a trailer is in the bike lane. The image in the center is an areal view of a round about and the image on the right is an areal view of a signalized intersection that has bicycle and pedestrian facilities as well as vehicle travel lanes. — Visual examples of Complete Streets - All depict roads that have separated bicyclist and pedestrian facilities. The first image is a linear segment (in Port Townsend), the second (in Walla Walla) and third (in Bothell) are aerial views of a round about and signalized intersection.

Complete Streets background

Other Complete Streets programs

Transportation Improvement Board's Complete Streets Awards

Winter driving tips

Traction tires are a special type of tire

manufactured with at least 1/8 of an inch tread. Traction tires are usually marked with a mountain/snowflake symbol, the letters M+S or “All Season.”

Carry chains, practice before leaving

Requiring chains keeps traffic moving during storms rather than closing a pass or roadway.

Prep your car. Fill up your gas tank,

pack jumper cables, ice scraper, warm clothing, snacks and water.