Rep. Doris Matsui Advocates for Complete Streets in National Transportation Reauthorization Legislation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 15, 2009

CONTACT: Alexis Marks or Mara Lee
(202) 225-7163

Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA) sent a letter to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN) and Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR), urging incorporation of her complete streets legislation, H.R. 1443, in the 2009 transportation reauthorization bill currently being drafted. Congressmen Albio Sires (D-NJ) and Russ Carnahan (D-MO), both members of the Tandamp;I Committee, also signed onto Rep. Matsui's letter.

Rep. Matsui, a longtime advocate of comprehensive transportation strategies, introduced the Complete Streets Act of 2009 earlier this year in the House of Representatives, working with Senator Tom Harkin who introduced a complementary bill in the U.S. Senate. Complete streets policies looks at transportation policy holistically, and provide benefits to seniors, children and the disabled; as well as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists of all ages by making our streets safer, cleaner, and more inclusive in communities across the country.

"The strength of this legislation is that it recognizes that we face very real challenges today, many of which are interwoven," said Congresswoman Matsui. "By opening up our roadways to pedestrians and cyclists, we can help ease the congestion on our nation's roads. In doing so, we will make progress fighting air pollution and global warming, and we will take strides toward improving the health and protecting the safety of people across our country."

The letter, sent yesterday, specifically requests Chairmen Oberstar and DeFazio to include Complete Streets legislation in the upcoming surface transportation authorization bill. Requiring the adoption of complete streets policies by state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations, as well as incorporating H.R. 1443, is one of the highest policy priorities for Reps. Matsui, Sires and Carnahan for this year's transportation legislation.

"We're so pleased to have strong champions in the House who are committed to ensuring that the enormous investments made through the transportation authorization provide safe travel for everyone using our federally-funded roads - whether they are riding a bicycle, driving, catching a bus, or walking," said Barbara McCann, Executive Director of the National Complete Streets Coalition. "We know from a report just issued by AARP that much more must be done to prepare the roads for our aging population - and that the provisions of the Complete Streets Act of 2009 are part of the answer. We are grateful to Reps Matsui, Sires, and Carnahan for their strong support."

The Complete Streets Act of 2009 has been endorsed by: AARP, US Conference of Mayors, America Bikes, American Planning Association, Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals, Transportation For America, League of American Bicyclists, Safe Routes to School National Partnership, YMCA of the USA, National Association of Realtors, American Planning Association, Natural Resources Defense Council, American Council of the Blind, Paralyzed Veterans of America, America Walks, Active Transportation Alliance, Smart Growth America, Trust for Americas Health, and the American Public Health Association.