By Meredith McCulloch
At the Selectmen’s meeting on August 3 the Transportation Advisory Committee recommended a Complete Streets Policy for Bedford. The “complete streets” concept holds that streets should provide safe lanes for cars, bicyclists and pedestrians. In Bedford’s Comprehensive Plan, approved in 2014, complete streets was established as a goal.
Soraya Stevens, Chair of the Transportation Advisory Committee, explained that Massachusetts Complete Streets program has funding for projects in towns that are certified as Complete Streets Communities. The formal adoption of a policy is one requirement for certification. The policy can be established through a by-law, an ordinance, or a policy. If certified the committee hopes Bedford can apply for funding of projects identified in the Bicycle Master Plan. https://www.bedfordma.gov/engineeringgis-division/pages/pedestrian-and-bicycle-master-plan
The recommended Complete Streets Policy for Bedford is modeled on one created by the Town of Littleton. In 2013 it was named the best policy by the National Complete Streets Coalition, a program of Smart Growth America.
The Selectmen responded positively and thanked the Transportation Advisory Committee for its work. Town Manager Richard Reed cautioned that before a policy is adopted, he would like to see clarification about the administration of the policy. For example, how would participating committees structure their coordination and how would the required reporting be organized. The Planning Board also reviewed the policy on August 11 and expressed approval.
Editor’s Note: The photo above was take from a movie of a 1906 drive down San Francisco’s Market Street.
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