To better understand the public’s shifting transportation needs and priorities, Hennepin County and consulting partner SDK Communications + Consulting will be facilitating eight stakeholder group listening sessions in summer 2022.
Hennepin County roads connect towns in the county’s more rural stretches and are major roadways of businesses and frequent use in cities. These diverse and consequential uses mean that Hennepin County’s Complete Streets Policy must balance these different needs in a thoughtful, cohesive way that balances flexibility for different uses with the county’s strong commitment to create roads that make its ambitious goals achievable.
The policy update is an opportunity to build on Hennepin County’s decade-plus of work to create streets that make travel safe and comfortable for everyone while also being respectful of our environment. Across Minnesota and the nation, Complete Streets have evolved to consider road design features like green infrastructure and modal hierarchy to support consistent approaches to implementation.
Hennepin County will be inviting stakeholder groups to offer input on the Complete Streets Policy update. We know from past engagement work on specific transportation projects and other county plans and policies that residents want to see roads designed to allow people to travel safely, no matter their mode of transportation. Equally important, residents want to see projects and road changes managed with as few disruptions as possible.
Ultimately, the Complete Streets policy will continue to ensure roads are designed to provide safe access for everyone — regardless of their age, race, ability, or mode of transportation — while balancing today’s travel patterns with the road uses of our future.