New roads, sidewalks and intersections in Northwest Indiana should be built to accommodate a variety of users including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders and drivers, according to regional planners.

The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission has adopted “Complete Streets” policies for NIRPC-administered transportation projects in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties.

“This is a forward-looking policy that recognizes that we have to make our communities more livable for current and future residents,” Crown Point Mayor David Uran said. “Our roads will also be safer when we anticipate the needs of all potential users.”

Common features of “Complete Streets” include sidewalks, bike lanes, wide shoulders, raised crosswalks and crossing opportunities. Complete Streets also incorporates design flexibility to accommodate site-specific needs and budgets.

Complete Streets is supported by a broad coalition of transportation, planning, government, and health organizations that calls itself the National Complete Streets Coalition. NIRPC is the third Metropolitan Planning Organization in Indiana to adopt Complete Streets. The others are the Bloomington/Monroe County MPO and the Madison County Council of Governments.

NIRPC’s Executive Committee adopted Complete Streets guidelines by resolution on May 20, after a six-month exploration of the concept and its application. The action ratified previous approvals by the agency’s Transportation Policy and Ped, Pedal and Paddle committees.

Posted 6/8/2010