BILL NUMBER: S915
SPONSOR: RYAN S
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the highway law, in relation to enabling safe access to
public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design princi-
ples
 
PURPOSE:
To include, when possible, complete street design features in resurfac-
ing, maintenance and pavement recycling projects and further enable safe
access to public roads for all users, if the service life of such resur-
facing, maintenance, or pavement recycling project is at least ten
years.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: amends subdivision (a) of section 331 of the highway law to
include complete streets design features in resurfacing, maintenance and
pavement recycling projects that are subject to the department of trans-
portation's oversight and which have a service life of at least ten
years.
Section 2: amends subdivision (c) of section 313 of highway law to
address demonstrated lack of need.
Section 3: sets the effective date for this act.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York State's Complete Streets Law, which requires the Department of
Transportation to consider the convenient access and mobility on the
road network by all users of all ages, including motorists, pedestrians,
bicyclists, and public transportation users with complete street design
features, only applies to projects classified as construction, recon-
struction or rehabilitation. The law specifically excludes projects
classified as resurfacing, maintenance and pavement recycling, which
dramatically decreases the projects in which complete streets design
features are used.
As a result of the state Department of Transportation's Preservation
First policy, nearly 80 percent of transportation funding and numerous
road projects exclude pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure, according
to the Tri-State Transportation Campaign. This exclusion of a key
component of complete-streets design runs contrary to the original
intent of the state's Complete Streets law, and this bill would address
the issue and strengthen the law.
By reforming our state's Complete Streets law, this legislation would
make dangerous intersections and roadways safer for pedestrians and
bicyclists. It would ensure our children have safer routes to school and
provide local families with more opportunities to walk and bike safely.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S.9718/A.1280 Passed Senate
2021-2022: A. A7782 Referred to Transportation
2019-20: S.1549A
2017-18: S.1801 Referred to Transportation
2015-16: S.764 Referred to Transportation
2013-14: S6340 Referred to Transportation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law.

Statutes affected:
S915: 331 highway law