1. Complete Streets Policy + Bicycle / Pedestrian Plan
City of Beverly
Complete Streets Policy + Bicycle / Pedestrian Plan
City Council Meeting
January 20, 2014

2. Complete Streets Overview City of Beverly Complete Streets Policy
Agenda
Complete Streets Overview
City of Beverly Complete Streets Policy
Bicycle / Pedestrian Plan
Next Steps
Questions
Note that it’s a project with two components, one to create a policy and the other that is the first step of implementation of that policy – ie the bike/ped plan

3. Complete Streets Overview
What is a complete street?
Streets that are safe, comfortable, and accessible for:
All Users
Photos from smartgrowthamerica.org

4. Multiple forms of travel
Complete Streets Overview
What is a complete street?
Streets that are safe, comfortable, and accessible for:
Multiple forms of travel
Walking
Driving
Biking
Transit

5. Local communities with complete streets policies
Complete Streets Overview
Local communities with complete streets policies
Maynard
Littleton
Everett
Somerville
Reading
Salem
Acton
Middleton
Stoughton
Several others in process

6. City of Beverly Complete Streets Policy
The policy:
“Codifies” the many aspects that the City already does
Sets a general vision for a walkable and bikeable City in a context-sensitive manner
Create incremental changes for an integrated network over the long term
Provides a roadmap for implementation:
Routine maintenance
Reconstruction
Construction
Allows for exceptions
Includes metrics to gauge success
Sets the City ready to access Complete Streets Certification funding when it becomes available

7. Complete Streets Certification Program
“Certified” municipalities would be able to apply for funding to implement Complete Streets
Eligibility:
Adopt a policy
Confirm baseline inventory of ped/bike facilities
Develop procedures for routine road work
Establish review process for private developments
Mode share goal
$5 million per year through 2020
Applications expected to begin spring 2015

8. Bicycle / Pedestrian Plan
Scope
Create a network of on street bicycle facilities and identify priority locations for sidewalk improvements
Focus on low cost/short term improvements
Identify “bold moves” for additional bicycle facilities
Provide recommendations to grow a bicycling culture
Identify gaps in the pedestrian network and recommend highest priorities

9. Level of Future Effort Required*
Bicycle Plan
Project
Level of Future Effort Required*
Low
Medium
High
Notes
Restriping using existing curb-to-curb 
Low-cost inclusion of bicycle facilities incorporated as a matter of routine
Rantoul Street reconstruction
Project is scheduled for construction and funding allocated
Brimbal Avenue interchange redesign (Phase 1)
Project is in design phase and portion of funding is allocated for Phase I
Broadway as key bicycle connection
An advisory lane would be a high visibility, high impact statement at a key connection
Ober Street as advisory lane pilot, followed by other potential streets
Several opportunities for this low cost but innovative roadway treatment that treats the roadway as a shared space for cyclists and motorists
Salem-Beverly bridge intersection restriping
Moderate, low cost steps can improve safety for bicyclists
Connections to Cummings Center
A road diet on Elliot Street will require additional study to determine feasibility
Off-road trails can be improved to provide a north-south connection

10. Bicycle Plan

11. Bicycle Plan Potential Bicycle Lanes: Beverly-Salem Bridge
Bridge Street
Brimbal Avenue
Budleigh Avenue
Cabot Street
Dodge Street
Elliot Street
Essex Street
Federal Street
Hale Street
McKay Street
Rantoul Street
Sohier Road
Tozier Road

12. Broadway as a key connection
This is an example of one of the bold initiatives. Importance of Broadway: Bass River – Depot – Downtown – Beach.

13. Broadway as a key connection
Discuss what advisory lane is. Could first test on Ober Street

14. Broadway as a key connection
Discuss what advisory lane is. Could first test on Ober Street

15. Pedestrian Priorities
High Priority Sidewalk Gaps
Tozier Street
Grover Street
Common Lane
Cole Street
Boyle Street

16. Next Steps Incorporate bicycle facilities as a matter of routine
Invest time and effort for one or more “bold moves”
Prioritize sidewalk investments proactively
Seek out additional funding sources
Work with adjacent communities
Work with community partners
Continue to promote walking and bicycling
Incorporate bicycle facilities as a matter of routine – most bicycle facilities, such as bicycle lanes and shared lane markings are relatively low cost solutions. Incorporating these facilities when a road is repaved/restriped will lead to incremental change in a cost-effective manner.
Prioritize sidewalk investments proactively – the Town should review its approach to prioritizing sidewalk construction and repairs. One consideration for prioritizing sidewalk construction and improvements could be the Neighborhood Walks Map.
Seek out additional funding sources – Reading typically allocates approximately $50,000 per year to sidewalk improvements. The Town should proactively seek out additional funding sources and grants. An example of potential funding is the pending Complete Streets Certification program. This program will allocate $10,000,000 per year for five years to be distributed among certified communities to plan and implement complete streets.
Adopt a complete streets policy – The Town is in the process of adopting a complete streets policy, which aims to make incorporate pedestrian and bicycle facilities and amenities a part of both routine projects, as well as larger ones.
Work with adjacent communities – As Reading prioritizes and begins to install pedestrian and bicycle facilities, Planning, DPW, and Engineering should communicate with their counterparts in the adjacent communities of Lynnfield, North Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, Wilmington, and Woburn, to ensure continuous facilities beyond municipal borders, especially when there are important destinations for Reading residents, including access to Lake Quinnapowitt.
Work with community partners – the Town may wish to engage relevant community partners involved in increasing physical activity to explore ways to improve the pedestrian and bicycle experience. For example, the Town of Lexington worked with a local bicycle shop to increase the number and quality of bicycle parking near its shop.
Continue to promote walking and bicycling – in addition to providing new and improved pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure and amenities, the Town can advertise its walking routes and trails through the Town’s website and through other media.

17. Questions? Chris Kuschel Regional Planner ckuschel@mapc.org
David Loutzenheiser
Transportation Planner