The Complete Streets Working Group was established to inform the Regional Planning Commission’s Complete Streets policy update and develop a Regional Complete Streets Guidebook. Working Group members include staff from state agencies, local parishes, and cities who guide the development of our region’s roadway infrastructure and operations.
Complete Streets is an approach to planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining streets that enables safe access for all people, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities. This effort is being developed under the direction of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which requires states and metropolitan planning organizations to fund the development of Complete Streets policies and prioritization plans through the Metropolitan Planning Program and State Planning and Research Program.
In July 2012, RPC adopted a regional Complete Streets Policy with guidance from the Complete Streets Advisory Committee. The policy complements DOTD’s 2010 Complete Streets Policy and was developed in accordance with applicable regulations and best practices from state and national transportation entities.
Click Here to read the Regional Planning Commission 2012 Complete Streets Policy
In 2024, the RPC released the Complete Streets Policy Assessment Report, which conducts a review of RPC and Louisiana Department of Transportation (DOTD) Complete Streets policies, active transportation plans, and associated initiatives across the New Orleans metro region. The report also includes a review of peer MPO Complete Streets policies and best practices for policy implementation.
Click Here to read the full Complete Streets Policy Assessment Report
This project will define Complete Streets through an updated regional policy and provide a framework for identifying opportunities to fund, design, and implement Complete Streets improvements on the region’s roadways, both for use by RPC and local governments. The project will be completed in two phases beginning in FY 25 with expected completion in FY 26. The first phase focuses on policy development and will be completed by RPC staff in coordination with the Working Group. In the project’s second phase, a consulting team will develop the Complete Streets Guidebook, which will serve as a technical resource document for the parishes and cities in RPC’s service area.
The policy update will improve elements of the 2012 policy with a focus on implementation. Proposed updates include better defining complete streets, integrating equity as a key guiding principle, and developing specific policy goals and performance measures. The policy will also specify design considerations with tailored guidance for the unique transportation needs of the region. These proposed updates will direct staff to implement the policy through RPC’s annual work tasks and in coordination with DOTD.
The guidebook will provide technical assistance to parishes within RPC’s service area to adopt and implement local Complete Streets policies. A key component of the guidebook will include comprehensive design and maintenance guidelines. In conjunction with developing design guidance, the consulting team will produce Complete Streets training materials for RPC staff to lead future webinars and/or workshops. The guidebook will also include best practices for evaluation of local Complete Streets initiatives.
Meeting dates will be posted as soon as dates are confirmed. All meetings are normally held in the large conference room at the Regional Transportation Management Center located at 10 Veterans Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124. Meetings begin at 10:00am unless otherwise noted.
Meetings are open to identified representatives only. If you are interested in participating or would like to request additional information, please email Kathryn Zeringue at [email protected].