What are the benefits of a narrower street?
  • Cost Savings - A reduced street width results in construction cost savings because less material and labor is needed to construct the project. These materials include pipe lengths, base material, and pavement materials. There are also long-term cost savings for plowing and pavement maintenance, such as periodic sealing and mill and overlay projects.
  • Traffic Calming - Studies show that narrower streets result in drivers traveling at slower speeds, which feels safer to pedestrians and other multimodal transportation users.
  • Environmental/Water Quality Impact - By reducing the street width, a larger green space is created to help collect stormwater. This minimizes the amount of runoff and the pollutants entering our wetlands, lakes, and streams.
  • Landscape Impacts - Narrower streets reduce the construction impact to trees, shrubs, retaining walls, other landscaping or irrigation systems located near the existing street.

Show All Answers

1. When was the Pavement Management Program (PDF) Street Width Policy last reviewed?
2. What policy is the City Council considering?
3. Why is the City Council reconsidering the street width policy now?
4. What is the financial impact of wider streets?
5. What are the benefits of a narrower street?
6. What concerns have people expressed about narrower streets?