Cherry Hill Council Adopts Complete Streets Policy

Cherry Hill Township Council adopted a Complete Streets Policy designed to make the township’s roads safer and more accessible for everyone.

Over time, the new initiative will create a comprehensive, integrated multi-modal transportation network by connecting bicycling and walking in all the township’s future street and sidewalk transportation.

“Complete Streets is a holistic approach to promoting joint use of our roadways by all users, including pedestrians, motorists, bicyclists, seniors, children, and those with limited mobility,” Cherry Hill Mayor Chuck Cahn said in a statement issued Tuesday morning. “We have always emphasized the need for accessibility and safety in our efforts to maintain and improve our streets and sidewalks. The Complete Streets program provides us with guidance to achieve those goals.”

The Complete Streets Policy is part of the Township’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, which was adopted by the Planning Board in early 2013.

The plan established a checklist of potential pedestrian, bicycle and transit accommodations such as sidewalks, bicycle lanes, crosswalks, pedestrian control signalization, curb cuts, crosswalks, and other traffic-calming measures that must be considered, when feasible, in the planning, design and implementation of future road improvements.

“By improving access for everyone, Complete Streets enhances safety while promoting a healthier community and a cleaner, greener transportation system with less traffic congestion and improved air quality,” Cahn said.

Potential projects will be reviewed against several factors to determine whether Complete Streets design is appropriate, including the road’s function, traffic volume, adjacent land use, and environmental and cost considerations.

Projects in which Complete Streets improvements would exceed 15 percent of the total cost are exempt from the program. An advisory committee comprising representatives from the Township’s Engineering, Public Works, Community Development and Police Departments, and a representative from the Mayor’s Office, will evaluate each project.

Accessibility enhancements have already been incorporated in some areas as part of road-improvement projects, including the installation of bike lanes on Kings Highway last year in cooperation with Camden County, Cahn said.

Complete Streets also underscores Cherry Hill’s status as a Healthy Town, Cahn said.

“As we work to build a healthier community, it is more important than ever to ensure that our streets, sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, bike lanes and trail system are user-friendly,” Cahn said. “Complete Streets provides us with a comprehensive plan to achieve that goal and ultimately make Cherry Hill a safer, healthier and more accessible place for everyone to live, work and play.”