Complete Streets
“Complete streets are designed and operated
to enable safe access for all users. Pedestrians,
bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all
ages and abilities must be able to safely move
along and across a complete street.”National Complete Streets Coalition
Policies and Regulations
In 2008, Louisville Metro Council adopted the first iteration of our city's Complete Streets policy as an amendment to Cornerstone 2020, Louisville's previous comprehensive plan. Although not regulatory or mandatory, the policy encouraged a balanced, multi-modal transportation system through the inclusion of bicycle and pedestrian facilities in all future road construction projects. The one-page policy excluded projects in which the cost of building bicycle or pedestrian facilities would be "excessively disproportionate" or where "severe topographic or natural resource constraints" existed.
In 2019, Louisville Metro Council passed an ordinance strengthening the Complete Streets policy. The policy was also adopted as an amendment to Plan 2040, Louisville's current comprehensive plan. The four-page policy included performance measures to be reported annually. The policy also mandated the creation of a Complete Streets design manual, which was released in December 2020.
In 2022, the Complete Streets policy was further amended, mandating the creation of a Complete Streets Coalition. The community-led Coalition shall review proposed transportation projects to ensure the projects meet Complete Streets guidelines.
Complete Streets Coalition
The Complete Streets Coalition was mandated in 2022 through updates to Louisville's Complete Streets Ordinance.
The primary function of the Complete Streets Coalition is to review a Complete Streets Checklist for publicly-funded projects to ensure those projects meet or exceed design guidelines outlined in Louisville's Complete Streets Design Guide.
$500,000 was allocated in Louisville's Fiscal Year 2023 budget for pedestrian safety and traffic calming improvements on Minor Arterials and Local Roads. These funds will be invested in partnership with the Complete Streets Coalition and Louisville Metro Public Works & Assets.
The inaugural Complete Streets Coalition is comprised of 15 Jefferson County residents. Louisville Metro Government received a great deal of interest in the coalition. All coalition meetings will be open to the public.
Complete Streets Coalition Meeting Information
- November 10, 2022
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Complete Streets Coalition Meeting Agenda
- December 8, 2022
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Complete Streets Coalition Meeting Agenda
- January 12, 2023
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Complete Streets Coalition Meeting Agenda
Complete Streets Coalition Meeting Minutes
Complete Streets Coalition - Project Ideas Prepared by Public Works
- February 18, 2023
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Complete Streets Coalition Meeting Agenda
Complete Streets Coalition - Project Ideas Presentation
Traffic Calming in School Zones
- March 16, 2023
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Complete Streets Coalition Unapproved Meeting Minutes
Complete Streets Coalition Meeting Agenda
Complete Streets Coalition Meeting Presentation
Complete Streets Coalition Meeting Minutes
- April 13, 2023
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Complete Streets Coalition Meeting Agenda
Complete Streets Coalition Presentation
Example Complete Streets Checklist
- May 25, 2023
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Complete Streets Coalition Meeting Agenda
Complete Streets Coalition Presentation
Complete Streets Coalition Meeting Minutes
- June 29, 2023
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Complete Streets Coalition Meeting Agenda
- July 27, 2023
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Complete Streets Coalition Meeting Minutes
Complete Streets Coalition Meeting Agenda
Complete Streets Coalition Presentation
- August 31, 2023
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Complete Streets Coalition Meeting Agenda
- September 28, 2023
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Complete Streets Coalition Meeting Agenda
- October 26, 2023 - Virtual Meeting 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
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Virtual Meeting Link:
https://louisvilleky.webex.com/louisvilleky/j.php?MTID=m1e5b05def63e53250fb0f72c5f905702
Complete Streets Coalition Projects
The Complete Streets Coalition Prioritized $500,000 in Traffic Calming Funds from the Fiscal Year 2023 budget through an iterative process of participatory budgeting, wherein members voted on priorities, areas of town, specific projects, and finally the design of projects. Details of this process can be found above in the meeting minutes, presentation, and supplemental information. An overview of the projects and an update on their status can be found in the table below (last updated 9/6/2023). Once a project was selected for funding by the CSC the Citizen Chair and Secretary of the CSC signed a Notice of Support requesting the CSC receive an update on the project if:
- The Cost of the project exceeds the attached expected budget
- A major deviation of the preliminary plans occurs
- The project has not moved toward construction in 3 months from the signing of the notice of support
- The project has been constructed
| Budget Estimate or Final Cost | Date of Notice of Support | Date Construction Began | Time to Construction | Documentation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35th Street Bus Stop Improvements & Traffic Calming * | $136,000 | 2/18/2023 | 4/11/2023 | 2 Months | Link |
| Central Avenue Traffic Calming * | $132,771 | 2/18/2023 | 6/4/2023 | 3.5 Months | Link |
| Big Ben Speed Hump * | $12,000 | 2/18/2023 | 4/11/2023 | 2 Months | Link |
| King Elementary -Vermont Ave & S 43 Street * | $43,003 | 5/25/2023 | 7/1/202023 | 2 Months | Link |
| Brandeis Elementary - 26th & Kentucky*** | $60,800 | 5/25/2023 | N/A | N/A | Link |
| Bradley Avenue Speed hump *** | $4,760 | 5/25/2023 | N/A | N/A | Link |
| Total Prioritized or Spent | $389,334 | ||||
| Remaining Funds | $110,666 |
Design Guides
Louisville Metro Government released its first Complete Streets design guide in December 2020. The guide, prepared by WSP and HDR in partnership with Louisville Metro Government, presents tools and methodologies for designing Complete Streets in a variety of settings. The guide can be used by municipal and state agency staff, design professionals, private developers, community groups, and others involved in the planning and design of streets in Louisville. The guide is intended to inform all projects that impact the public right-of-way, including the construction of new streets and improvements to existing streets. Standards in this guide are a compilation of current best practice guidance and do not supersede any existing federal, state, or city laws, rules, or regulations.
Louisville Complete Streets Design Guide (2020)
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) released its first Complete Streets manual in August 2022. The manual, designed by Gresham Smith in partnership with KYTC, serves as a guide for engineers and planners to design safer, more equitable state-owned roadways.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Complete Streets, Roads, and Highways Manual (2022)
Complete Streets Performance Measures
Louisville Metro Council passed an amendment to the Complete Streets Ordinance in 2019. It states, "Metro shall create individual numeric benchmarks for each of the performance measures included, as a means of tracking and measuring the annual performance of the ordinance. Annual reports shall be posted online for each of the above measures.”
This presentation is the first annual report of the below performance measures:
- Lane miles dedicated to active transportation
- Linear feet of new pedestrian accommodations
- Number of new curb ramps installed along city streets
- Crosswalk and intersection improvements
- Rate of injuries and fatalities by mode
- Rate of fatalities by age, gender, race and ethnicity
This initial report will serve as a benchmark. Moving forward efforts will be made to streamline reporting.
Complete Streets Performance Measures 2022
Last updated: October 18, 2022
