Complete Streets

What are Complete Streets?

Complete Streets refers to an approach to planning, designing, and building streets that enables safe access for all users of the transportation system, including pedestrians, bicyclists, people with disabilities, motorists, and freight vehicles.  According to the Federal Highway Administration, “a Complete Street is safe, and feels safe, for all users.” Complete Streets are not a one-size-fits-all solution, but are context-sensitive improvements that best fit the specific needs of the users of the street. 

SEDA-COG MPO Complete Streets Policy

On June 14, 2024, the SEDA-COG MPO adopted its Complete Streets Policy.  The policy details actions to create opportunities for safer, more accessible streets for all users.  The policy applies to new construction, reconstruction, and resurfacing activities that will use state or federal funds through the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). 

Complete Streets Checklist and Exceptions

Project sponsors, whether PennDOT, a county, or a municipality shall prepare either a Complete Streets Checklist, or an Exception Form, and submit it to Steve Herman, Transportation Program Director at sherman@seda-cog.org. The checklist inventories existing conditions and proposed Complete Streets elements and records the MPO’s concurrence or recommendations regarding Complete Streets elements for TIP projects.

For PennDOT-led projects, PennDOT shall submit a checklist prior to listing the project on the TIP to ensure that the scope, schedule, and cost estimate can respond to the evaluated checklist. For locally sponsored projects, the checklist shall also be submitted prior to listing the project on the TIP.  

The SEDA-COG Transportation Program Director, the MPO Board County Voting Member for the project location, and the applicable PennDOT District Planner, or their designee(s), shall evaluate each checklist.  

A fillable PDF checklist can be found here. 

Complete Streets improvements may not be practical for all projects. The Complete Streets Policy outlines the limited contexts under which an exception may be considered.  Project sponsors may request an exception by completing the Exception Form and submitting it to Steve Herman, Transportation Program Director, at sherman@seda-cog.org. Exceptions that are currently being considered, as well as the exceptions that have been granted, are listed below.