Two nationally recognized experts on transportation will be in Spokane to help city leaders craft a plan to make Spokane streets more accessible for all.

The City of Spokane, in partnership with local municipalities, is moving forward on a plan to make Spokane streets safer and more inviting to pedestrians, bicyclists, transit drivers, and motorists. The goal is to create a network of streets, sidewalks, and bike paths that make getting around easier for everyone including children, older adults, and people living with disabilities. The plan is being modeled after the complete streets concept.

Two national complete streets experts, Roger Henderson AICP, PE, PTOE and John LaPlante PE, PTOE will be  here this week to work with city leaders on developing a plan that meets the specific needs of Spokane.

"This workshop is a great opportunity to get some of the best transportation personnel in Spokane together to talk about creating a street system that works for all users; cars, bikes, pedestrians, and transit vehicles," said Spokane City Councilman Jon Snyder, who sponsored the complete streets resolution approved by council members.

"After this dialogue we will be able to work on creating a complete streets ordinance unique to the needs of the City of Spokane," said Snyder. 

The Complete Streets Policy Development Workshop is not open to the public, but the media is invited to attend. The workshop will be held at the Spokane Regional Health District auditorium, April 29, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Spokane Regional Health District's Board of Health approved a resolution last week supporting the complete streets project. To learn more about complete streets, visit the National Complete Streets Coalition website at www.completestreets.org.

The Complete Streets Policy Development Workshop is sponsored by the Spokane Regional Health District, the Washington Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity, and the Washington State Department of Health in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Bicycle Alliance of Washington.

• For more information on the Complete Streets Policy Development Workshop, call Heleen Dewey from the Spokane Regional Health District at (509) 324-1555.
• For more information about the Washington Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity, go to: www.beactive.org.
• For more information about the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals, go to: www.apbp.org.