A new roundup of Walkability Wins. This week we’re showcasing the movement by highlighting more places across the country advancing pedestrian-friendly agendas.
Birmingham, Alabama
A $21 million grant from the US Department of Transportation will support various projects that will make the city more walkable and connected. These projects include the Birmingham Urban Trail and Multimodal Corridor and the Birmingham Civil Rights Crossroads: Reconnecting Historic Neighborhoods Through Active Mobility. The funding will be used to improve ADA access, improve sidewalks and other pedestrian infrastructure updates to accommodate people of all abilities.
Scranton, Pennsylvania
The city unveiled the “Downtown Scranton Connectivity Plan” which is a plan that takes steps to improve walkability downtown and generate foot traffic to small businesses. The plan includes several pedestrian infrastructure best practices, such as leading pedestrian intervals to give pedestrians a head start, and recommendations to address aspects that require the greatest attention.
Arlington, Virginia
Walking School Bus alert in Arlington! The Win is the creation and expansion of Arlington’s inter-generational Walking School Bus, which kicked off in Spring 2022. It’s called the Us Bus and it matches senior adult volunteers with Arlington elementary students/families to engage seniors and support students walking safely to school. Win-win-win.
Baltimore, Maryland
In Baltimore, tactical urbanism projects are making streets safer and more inviting for pedestrians. Communities lead the implementation of creative art installations, beautifying their neighborhoods and increasing pedestrian space and safety. These projects have included painting murals on streets and sidewalks, reclaiming pavement, and using planters and poles for traffic calming.
Louisiana
Through some great partnerships, Louisiana is making it easier for rural communities to get funding to improve active transportation in their communities. The Department of Transportation and Development is helping address the cost barriers to get funding for biking and walking projects, and partners like the Center for Planning Excellence helped host a Complete Streets Summit to invite rural communities to learn more about active transportation.
To catch up on previous installments of Walkability Wins, visit our blog. Have a win? Send it to us: social@americawalks.org.
