Mayor Stephanie M. Burke announces the MassDOT approval of the city of Medford’s Complete Streets Funding Program, which focuses on assisting cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth in order to enhance public safety for a network of users and make necessary infrastructure improvements across the city.

Complete Streets principles contribute toward the safety, health, economic viability and quality of life in a community by providing accessible and efficient connections between home, school, work, recreation and retail destinations throughout the community.

Following the announcement made by the Baker-Polito administration, the city of Medford submitted a letter of intent to become a part of the Complete Streets community. The city has been involved in several meetings and workshops to discuss the needs and expectations of the program in order to become more familiar with the process of building newer infrastructure and safer streets.

On March 10, Burke signed a Community Compact with the governor’s administration in which Complete Streets was selected as one of the city’s best practices. This action resulted in, among other benefits, in earning eight points toward the total score that MassDOT would assign the city’s policy when they reviewed it.

The Engineering Department assembled a comprehensive policy for MassDOT to review and score accordingly. In order to receive approval from MassDOT to participate in the program, municipalities must receive a minimum score of 80 out of 100. The city of Medford received a 93 out of 100, plus the eight points previous, which gave a total score of 100.

In order to highlight potential projects for review and prioritize goals for the city, a working group was assembled consisting of city staff as well as representatives from Walk Medford and the Bicycle Advisory Commission. Implementation of the city of Medford Complete Streets policy will be carried out cooperatively between departments within the city of Medford, private developers and state or federal agencies.

The city is committed to focusing on the uses of various modes of transportation, including but not limited to, pedestrians, cyclists, transit and school bus riders, motorists, users of wheelchairs and other power-driven mobility devices and emergency responders, who are legitimate users of streets and deserve safe facilities.

The Complete Streets principles may be achieved through single elements incorporated into a particular project or incrementally through a series of smaller improvements or maintenance activities over time.

“We are excited to be a part of the Complete Streets Funding Program and thankful for the continued partnership and investment the Baker-Polito Administration has focused on in improving transportation for the City of Medford,” said Burke. “The city of Medford is in the process of applying for $400,000 in grant money from the state to begin implementation of priorities.”