Complete Streets

Lincoln's Complete Streets program was launched in September 2013, to accommodate all modes of transportation in the design of public and private streets in Lincoln. Complete Streets efforts provide our community increased transportation choices and a more resilient transportation system. The Complete Streets Committee, comprised of various city departments, implements the policy goals. The policy sets out to coordinate projects relating to the design, planning, construction, reconstruction, or rehabilitation of public and private streets, or development projects which would substantially impact or cause construction of public or private streets between City of Lincoln departments.

Read the Executive Order(PDF, 75KB)

Complete Streets Explained

Complete Streets are public and private streets that include some combination of appropriate infrastructure, as determined by the surrounding context, that accommodate all modes of transportation, including private vehicles, public transportation, walking, and bicycling. For more detailed information on Complete Streets, please visit the National Complete Streets Coalition.

The graphic below highlights the elements of a complete street at the intersection of G Street and South 11th Street. On the left is a bus stop at an accessible ramp. The ADA accessible ramps provides safe access through the intersection, along with the curb extensions which reduces the width to cross. Delineated bike lanes provide safe access for bicyclists, while the narrow vehicle travel lanes slow cars down. Angled parking also helps to slow traffic as drivers must pay attention while pulling into or backing out of the stalls.

Elements of a Complete Street Graphic (2).jpg

Complete Streets Committee

Through the Executive Order/Administrative Regulation, a Complete Streets Committee was formed to discuss how to implement Complete Streets within the community. The committee is an interdepartmental group comprised or representatives from Planning, Transportation & Utilities, StarTran, Urban Development, Building and Safety, Parks and Recreation, and the Health Department. Two subcommittees were formed in 2021 to focus on policy items and funding items meeting monthly, however in 2023 the committees were combined into one subcommittee of the Complete Streets Committee to focus on both items which have significant overlap.

Policy Tasks: reviewing and providing recommendations on ordinances and legislation, program structure, and education surrounding complete streets. Examples of these work items include tracking state legislation impacting complete streets at the local level, waiving or modifying local standards and policies which are a barrier to or inconsistent with the development of Complete Streets, managing the public facing website, and speaking with appointed and elected officials.
Funding Tasks: making small dollar funding decisions like bike rack requests, and making recommendations on large dollar projects to the full committee. The subcommittee maintains the full list of potential project and scores each in order to make recommendations on how to spend the complete streets funds. They are also charged with ensuring the design, planning, and development of projects involving public and private streets meets the goal of accommodating transportation needs of all users through an inter-departmental process to ensure conformance.

In the Fiscal Year 2014/15-2019/20 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), $50,000 was appropriated annually for "Complete Streets" projects bringing the six year total to $300,000 for projects that fit within the Complete Streets scope. Funding decisions have been guided by a Gap Analysis study completed in 2015 which uses a variety of data to identify gaps in the transportation network that do not serve all users.

Annual Reports Gap Analysis Report(PDF, 3MB)

Complete Streets Projects Mapped

The Fiscal Year 2014/15 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) included, for the first time, a budget item for the Pedestrian and Bicycle Capital Program. In each year since, $50,000 has been appropriated for projects that work towards creating a "complete street" network. This includes improvements that support pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and vehicular safety such as new ADA compliant sidewalk connections, bicycle route signage and bike rack installation, data transfer for the trail counters, and safety installations at street crossings. Below is a map showing locations of projects which work towards a more complete roadway network, some funded through the complete streets set aside and others through partnership with other city departments.

Another city program that works towards creating streets for all users is the Sidewalk Repair Program.

Complete Street Projects Before and After

52nd Street at MoPac: this sidewalk gap connection included a paved sidewalk and retaining walls to give residents of the neighborhood a clear and accessible connection to the MoPac Trail along 52nd Street. The need was clearly demonstrated with a well worn dirt path leading to the trail from the end of the sidewalk as seen in the before picture.

Before

After

Arlington Street at Rock Island: this is another example of a clear need for a sidewalk connection from the neighborhood to the Rock Island trail where residents wore a dirt path from the end of the sidewalk to get to the trail. This project was relatively simple and included continuing the sidewalks on the north and south of Arlington Street to meet at a connection to the trail on the north side of the street.

Arlington Ave Before.JPG

Before

Arlington Sidewalk Connection (2).jpg

After

Dunn Avenue at Boosalis: Before this project, residents of the adjacent neighborhood lacked accessible connections to the Boosalis Trail with no curb ramps leaving the sidewalks on Dunn Avenue or leading up to the trail itself. ADA compliant ramps and a short sidewalk extension was built on the north side of the intersection with a mirror accessible ramp on the south side of the intersection to access the Boosalis Trail.

Before

Dunn Ave Afters 2023 (4).jpg

After

Jamaica Trail Connection on Old Cheney Road: Through a variety of funding sources from LTU, RTSD, and Complete Streets, the accessible sidewalk connection was installed on Old Cheney Road to cross the railroad tracks and connect users to the Jamaica Trail system.

Jamaica before.JPG

Before

Jamaica Trail Connection on Old Cheney (2).jpg

After

Fox Hollow Connection to Billy Wolff Trail: This trail connection provides paved, accessible access for the Fox Hollow neighborhood to access the Billy Wolff Trail as well as the Holmes Lake Dog Park.

Fox Hollow Before.JPG

Before

Fox Hollow After.JPG

After

Bike Rack Request Program

The Complete Streets Committee offers an assistance program, when funding is available, to property and/or business owners in Lincoln who have a demonstrated need and desire for a bike rack for their patrons. Interested applicants should fill out the form below. For questions, contact Planning at 402-441-6373.

Bike Rack on South Street

Guidelines

The request should be for a location on public property. If racks must be installed on private property due to right-of-way constraints, the property owner must sign an agreement to maintain the rack and public access on their property for its use.
There must be a demonstrated need for the bike parking.
Buildings or businesses that are required to provide bike parking as a condition of a planning entitlement or building permit do not qualify.

Application process

Planning staff will visit the address to determine there if adequate space to install a rack(s) properly without compromising access or conflicting with pedestrian space.
The Complete Streets Committee with review the request and either approve or deny based on the information provided on the request form as well as the site visit.
Once approved, the location will be marked with spray paint and City staff will proceed with installation. If the rack is to be installed on private property, the agreement must be signed first, prior to installation.
Applicant will monitor the rack condition and maintain as necessary.

Click here to view form.

ACCOMMODATION NOTICE: The City of Lincoln complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 guidelines. Ensuring the public’s access to and participating in public meetings is a priority for the City of Lincoln. In the event you are in need of a reasonable accommodation in order to attend or participate in a public meeting conducted by the City of Lincoln, please contact the Lincoln Commission on Human Rights at 402-441-7624, or the City Ombudsman at 402-441-7511, as soon as possible before the scheduled meeting date in order to make your request. If information is needed in another language, please contact mpo@lincoln.ne.gov.