Summary

Creates a federal "complete streets" program that helps States, Tribes, local governments, and other eligible entities plan, design, and build streets that safely serve people of all ages and travel modes. It requires States and metropolitan planning organizations to adopt and use design standards, directs the Secretary to publish technical standards for bike lanes, sidewalks, lighting, and signals, sets project application and reporting rules, and applies the new standard to many federally funded or high-cost highway projects in metropolitan areas while listing limited exemptions and an appeals path.

Key Points

• Creates a federal Complete Streets program with guidance, benchmarks, and grant-making to help States and local entities build safer, multi-modal streets.
• Requires every State and metropolitan planning organization to adopt and use design standards that serve motorized and nonmotorized users for federally related projects.
• Adds a formal Complete Streets design standard to federal law, directing the Secretary to issue technical standards for bike lanes, sidewalks/crosswalks, lighting, and signals.
• Applies the new standards to many federally funded or high-cost highway projects in metropolitan areas after statutory deadlines, while listing specific exemptions.
• Establishes a biennial inventory and reporting requirement so States must report projects that comply with the standards every two years.
• Prioritizes funding and program support for underserved communities and vulnerable road users.
• Includes an appeals process for metropolitan planning organizations to request exceptions from the standard on a project-by-project basis.

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