Caltrans recognizes that walking, biking, transit, and passenger rail are integral to a vision of a brighter future through a world-class transportation network. Additionally, Caltrans recognizes that streets are not only used for transportation but are also valuable community spaces.
Caltrans has released the attached Director’s Policy (DP-37, dated December 2021) regarding the inclusion of Complete Streets elements within projects. According to this new policy, all transportation projects funded or overseen by Caltrans in locations with current and/or future pedestrian, bicycle, or transit needs, will provide comfortable, convenient, and connected complete streets facilities for people walking, biking, and taking transit or passenger rail unless an exception is documented and approved. When decisions are made not to include complete streets elements in capital and maintenance projects, the justification will be documented with final approval by the responsible District Director.
This directive commits Caltrans to identify opportunities for complete streets in all phases of project development from planning and design to construction, operations, and maintenance. Future Caltrans projects are expected to prioritize underserved communities that have been historically harmed and segmented by the transportation network. Projects are expected to be designed to serve people of all ages and abilities. Caltrans is now directed to removing unnecessary policy and procedural barriers and partnering with communities and agencies to ensure projects on local and state transportation systems improve the connectivity to existing and planned pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities, and accessibility to existing and planned destinations, where possible.