(1) The transportation improvement board shall establish a complete streets grant program within the department’s highways and local programs division, or its successor. During program development, the board shall include, at a minimum, the department of archaeology and historic preservation, local governments, and other organizations or groups that are interested in the complete streets grant program. The purpose of the grant program is to encourage local governments to adopt urban arterial retrofit street ordinances designed to provide safe access to all users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists, and public transportation users, with the goals of:

(a) Promoting healthy communities by encouraging walking, bicycling, and using public transportation;

(b) Improving safety by designing major arterials to include features such as wider sidewalks, dedicated bicycle facilities, medians, and pedestrian streetscape features, including trees where appropriate;

(c) Protecting the environment and reducing congestion by providing safe alternatives to single-occupancy driving; and

(d) Preserving community character by involving local citizens and stakeholders to participate in planning and design decisions.

(2) For purposes of this section:

(a) “Eligible project” means (i) a local government street or road retrofit project that includes the addition of, or significant repair to, facilities that provide street access with all users in mind, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transportation users; or (ii) a retrofit project on city streets or county roads that are part of a state highway that include the addition of, or significant repair to, facilities that provide access with all users in mind, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transportation users.

(b) “Local government” means incorporated cities and towns and counties that have adopted a jurisdiction-wide complete streets ordinance that plans for the needs of all users and is consistent with sound engineering principles.

(c) “Sound engineering principles” means peer-reviewed, context sensitive solutions guides, reports, and publications, consistent with the purposes of this section.

(3) In carrying out the purposes of this section, the transportation improvement board may award funding, subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, only to eligible projects that are designed consistent with sound engineering principles.

(4) The transportation improvement board must report annually to the transportation committees of the legislature on the status of any grant projects funded by the program created under this section.

Effective date—2015 3rd sp.s. c 44: See note following RCW 46.68.395.

Intent—2011 c 257: “Urban main streets should be designed to provide safe access to all users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists, and public transportation users. Context sensitive design and engineering principles allow for flexible solutions depending on a community’s needs, and result in many positive outcomes for cities and towns, including improving the health and safety of a community. It is the intent of the legislature to encourage street designs that safely meet the needs of all users and also protect and preserve a community’s environment and character.” [ 2011 c 257 § 1.]