Howard County becomes a national model for Complete Streets and Smart Growth Strategies.
Since the beginning of the Complete Streets movement in the early 2000s, more than 1,700 Complete Streets policies have been adopted in jurisdictions of all sizes and contexts across the United States. These are comprehensive plans from local governments to reduce traffic violence, improve health equity, respond to the climate crisis, and rectify a long history of inequitable transportation practices. In a celebration of the strongest Complete Street policies in the country, the National Complete Streets Coalition used a 100-point scale to evaluate the best of the best programs.
The results are in and Howard County came out with a score of 100 out of 100, claiming the top marks out of 11 finalists. The 10 runners up scored anywhere from 98 down to 78. The Maryland Department of Transportation sent congratulations:
Congrats to @HoCoGov for its 100% score by @SmartGrowthUSA for its @completestreets policy. MDOT is proud to partner w/HoCo via grant programs & @MDSHA projects advancing access & safety for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists & transit riders of all ages/abilities. #MDOTpartners pic.twitter.com/xlGCc4hm6d
— MDTransportationDept (@MDOTNews) May 18, 2023
County Executive Ball went on to applauded the work of a hardworking local team:
I’m thrilled Howard County received national recognition for our Complete Streets Policy by @SmartGrowthUSA making us the first jurisdiction in the nation to receive a perfect score. This national recognition is the result of collaboration, hard work and a truly inclusive process pic.twitter.com/Cv2CuxMi6B
— Calvin Ball (@HoCoGovExec) May 18, 2023
