Complete Streets Act of 2025

Key Points

• Every state would have to create a competitive grant program so local governments, tribal groups, transit agencies, and nonprofits can get funding and technical help to build safer, multimodal roads. States must set up these programs within two fiscal years of enactment.
• States would be required to dedicate 5% of their federal highway funds to complete streets projects. Local entities could receive grants of up to $20 million per project for designing and building safer road infrastructure.
• The bill creates new national design standards for major federally funded road projects, including requirements for protected bike lanes, accessible sidewalks and crosswalks, and better lighting. These standards would apply within 2 years to projects in metro areas with transit service.
• The bill prioritizes underserved communities, requiring that complete streets programs serve low-income people, communities of color, rural areas, and tribal communities equitably. Grant priority goes to the most dangerous intersections and corridors for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Certain roads are exempt from the new design requirements, including limited access highways, roads next to heavy industrial zones without transit service, and emergency repair projects. Projects already underway that meet the standards are also exempt.
• The Department of Transportation and Department of Justice would update accessibility standards for pedestrian facilities in public rights-of-way, including provisions for vision, hearing, cognitive ability, and language access, helping people with a range of disabilities navigate streets more safely.

Votes

No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.