Council to review proposed standards for safer, more connected streets

During May 12th's Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee, Councilmembers will review a draft design manual aimed at further implementing Lexington's Complete Streets policy.

It's the latest step in a years-long process to begin reimagining Lexington's streets, with the goal of making them work for a variety of travel modes – not just cars.

How will Lexington reimagine its streets and roads?

In 2022, Lexington adopted its Complete Streets policy. The policy applies to all public and private roadway projects in Fayette County. Developers will need to comply with the manual for new roadwork, as will local government employees when they repave and redesign existing streets.

Previously, Lexington's streets have been designed to move vehicles quickly, but the city's Complete Streets policy adopts a broader, people-focused vision. Its work includes making streets safer and more accessible by improving sidewalks and intersection crossings, and adding protected bike lanes, to name a few examples.

A separate Complete Streets Action plan adopted in 2023 lays out a checklist of 39 different tasks with goals, outcomes, lead local government divisions, and deadlines. Examples include adding a Complete Streets coordinator position and training opportunities for city staff and local design professionals.

In 2023, during a particularly dangerous year for bicyclists and pedestrians, Lexington adopted a Vision Zero policy. Of the 180 collisions that year where a car struck a pedestrian or cyclist, 22 resulted in deaths. Thirty-seven were hit and runs.

• Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all, as defined by the Vision Zero Network. It was first tried in Sweden in the 1990s, and now it's catching on in American cities. Lexington wants to eliminate all traffic-related deaths by 2050.

As Lexington works to implement these policies, it needs to update existing documents to better align with them. Needed updates include:

• The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Roadway Manual
• Subdivision regulations
• The Neighborhood Traffic Management Program Guide

What's next?

Council is expected to adopt the final Complete Streets Design Manual this summer, and take final action on any related subdivision regulation changes in the fall.

On May 12th, the draft Complete Streets Design Manual will be released to the public for review via Engage Lexington.

A final draft – including public comments – will be presented to Council's Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee during its June 16th meeting.