Washington has a new comprehensive pedestrian plan.

During its meeting Monday, the Washington City Council adopted the plan, an updated version of a pedestrian plan put in place by the city in 2006. A $10,000 Community Transformation Grant paid for the plan.

“As you’re aware, given new guidelines and requirements for submitting bicycle and pedestrian projects to the DOT for consideration for funding, it’s absolutely essential we have an updated plan,” said Bryant Buck with the Mid-East Commission, which developed the plan for the city with input from the public and the city’s Recreation Advisory Committee. Buck said DOT wants some form of “buy in” by the public before it will fund such projects. That “buy in” was accomplished by a series of open houses so people could review the proposed plan and several surveys, Buck noted.

“The comprehensive pedestrian plan not only looks at proposed projects, but also looks at what steps the city can take to faster foster a pedestrian-friendly environment for uses by all ages,” Buck said.

The plan includes 43 projects that would be implemented in phases as funding for them becomes available and the city chooses to proceed with them. Among the 43 projects are 27 sidewalk additions throughout the city. The plan also includes 15 crosswalk improvements and one shared-use path (bicycles and pedestrians). The new plan, unlike past plans, does not include the extension of the Jack’s Creek greenway from the intersection of Brown and East Third streets to East Main Street.

“That was taken off the table,” Buck said.

The plan includes cost estimates for the projects and recommendations on doing the projects in phases, Buck said.

The plan’s summary states, “Washington’s vision is to develop a pedestrian friendly environment that connects neighborhoods, parks, shopping, and employment destinations, while attracting new residents and businesses with the beautiful natural settings in which these walkway facilities are located.”
The plan also notes: “The City should consider allocating resources on an annual basis to establish and maintain a pedestrian network, maintain existing facilities, and fund programs and on-going activities directed towards encouragement, enforcement, and education. The allocation of City funding for pedestrian facilities will be an ongoing need.”

The plan follows the N.C. Department of Transportation’s expanded municipal pedestrian plan template and address several items, including, but not limited to, the following:

• immediate concerns and long-term aspirations;
• an explanation of the benefits of walking;
• system map showing each proposed project according to location and type;
• specific project identification and priority list;
• cost estimates for proposed facilities.