Complete Streets

We explain the process for putting the Complete Streets Policy into action.

Complete Streets 2021

The Complete Streets process shows how we commit to building a complete transportation network.  A complete transportation network considers all ways people get around and use our streets. It's a companion to our Transportation Action Plan.

Read the Complete Streets Policy on LIMS

Visual representation of Complete Streets

Each icon on the graphic represents a way to get around (modes). It also shows supportive features that accommodate people using those modes.

For example: The car graphic includes parked, driving and carpooling vehicles. The bicycle and scooters graphic include bicycles and scooter parking.

Placing many modes on the same tier does not show an “either/or” approach. Each mode on a tier is equally valued.

Safety of the most vulnerable street users are the highest priority

This includes those who are:

  • Walking
  • Rolling
  • Biking

These users are the most at risk of suffering a severe or fatal traffic crash.

Complete Streets graphic 2021

Key elements of complete streets

Prioritizes pedestrians and public transit

Complete Streets established a modal priority framework. This modal framework informs transportation related decision making.

It prioritizes people as they

  • Walk or roll
  • Bike, take transit, or other micromobility services

These ways to get around take priority over driving.

Informs all transportation related decisions

  • All City transportation related decisions will follow Complete Streets. Implementation will include all elements within the public right of way.
  • All transportation projects are subject to the process laid forth by the policy.
  • We use a Complete Streets checklist to document that projects follow the process. The checklist is specific to the project.

When we apply Complete Streets

Complete streets applies to all public and private

  • Projects
  • Programs
  • Initiatives

When they interact with and impact the public right of way.

2021 update

The City adopted the original policy in 2016.

The updates include:

  • Updated references to modal needs that have arisen in the last five years. For example, scooters and new types of delivery services.
  • Includes policy guidance for micromobility (such as scooters).
  • Updated language to be consistent with the Transportation Action Plan.
  • Added a definition of the Complete Streets process.
  • Removed the exemptions process.

New additions to the policy

Freight and delivery

Freight

The movement of goods is an important component of any urban environment. There is special infrastructure built for large vehicles, such as loading docks. It has affected street design for decades.

The City’s new Street Design Guide (SDG) 2021 provides direction on how we can accommodate the movement of large freight vehicles without taking away from the multimodal needs on city streets.

Design guidance contained in the SDG covers streets on the Truck Route Network. It has large truck movement specifications, including wider turning radii or lane widths.

See the Street Design Guide

See the Truck Route Network

Delivery

Same-day delivery services makes for daily use of our roads. This has been the case since 2016, when we developed the original policy.

Delivery vehicles often use the public right of way in ways that our streets were not originally designed for. Disruptions by large vehicle operations are rare. Still, frequent disruptions by smaller vehicles have a big impact and are harder to deal with.

We recognize the inconvenience to users when delivery trucks or smaller delivery vehicles block:

  • Travel lanes
  • Bike lanes
  • Sidewalks
  • Crosswalks

 

Green infrastructure

History

Minneapolis has a stormwater management permit through the Federal Clean Water Act. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued this permit in the late 1990s. The most recent update was in 2018.

The city considers stormwater management opportunities on all projects. Some projects are required to meet a stormwater regulation based on the amount and type of disturbance.

Benefits 

Green stormwater infrastructure helps address urban environmental concerns. For example, treating stormwater and lessening the heat island effect. Green stormwater elements also improves the pedestrian environment. These co-benefits are important additions to our streetscape.

Stormwater management has always been part of the street design process.  Still, this work is not always visible above the ground. Where possible, green stormwater infrastructure is provided above ground and it helps create a visual benefit along with the environmental benefit.

Green stormwater practices are important to managing stormwater.  These best management practices are efficient and effective. We can design them to help meet the needs of street users.

How the updated Street Design Guide helps

It gives direction on green infrastructure design.

See the Street Design Guide

Micromobility

Micromobility includes a range of human-scaled, shared vehicles. For example, bicycles and scooters. They can be electric or human-powered. Small mobility devices have been around for decades. Still, micromobility devices are fairly new on city streets.

Under many laws and ordinances, these devices are all treated like bicycles. Within our graphic, we depict all types of micromobility with the scooter icon. They're given the same level of priority as bicycles and transit in this policy.

Transportation Action Plan

Minneapolis is creating more travel options for more people by the year 2030.
Learn more

Request accessible format

If you need help with this information, please email 311, or call 311 or 612-673-3000.

Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Contact us

Public Works

Phone

612-673-2352

Address

City Hall
350 Fifth St. S.
Room 203
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Office hours

Monday - Friday

8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.