UPDATE TO STRATEGIC PLAN FOR SIDEWALKS AND BIKEWAYS COMPLETE
Revised plan will maximize use of resources, better connect communities
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (October 15, 2008) -
Mayor Karl Dean announced today that an update to the guidelines used for prioritizing sidewalk and bikeway projects in Nashville is complete. Dean made the announcement as part of a keynote address at the annual Living the Plan of Nashville luncheon hosted by the Nashville Civic Design Center.
At the mayor’s request, the Public Works and Planning departments began an update to Metro’s Strategic Plan for Sidewalks & Bikeways earlier this year and included in the process a series of community meetings to gather input from the public. The plan was originally completed in 2003 and includes recommended pedestrian and bicycle networks to be built throughout Davidson County.
“Our ultimate goal is to make Nashville a more connected, more walkable, more environmentally-conscious and more bikable city,” Dean said. “We also want to make sure we spend our financial resources in a way that maximizes our investment. To do that, this plan includes much more coordination between Metro agencies and other organizations.”
Key changes in the update include:
- Assessing sidewalk construction/repair based more on potential pedestrian traffic
- Continued priorities for schools, neighborhood and retail centers and including connectivity between parks and greenways, community centers and non-public schools
- Greater communication between departments to take advantage of potential economies of scale (e.g. scheduling a sidewalk repair to coincide with water/sewer improvements)
- Recognizing bikeways are meaningful and desirable transportation options
- Using bikeways to link citizens to employment centers
- More public education about bicycle safety and “share the road”
Strategic Plan for Sidewalks & Bikeways
For media inquiries contact:
Bonna Johnson
615-862-6461
bonna.johnson@nashville.gov