Contact:
Matt Phelps Fay Lim
Communications Specialist II Communications Supervisor
Matt.Phelps@snoco.org Fay.Lim@snoco.org
425-388-3126 425-388-6413
Snohomish County to Host Online Open House on Pathways for Active Transportation Starting Sept. 27
Event is designed to gather public feedback on countywide sidewalks, bike lanes and trails plan
EVERETT, Wash., September 25, 2019 – There are great benefits to reaching a destination by walking, running or biking – sometimes called active transportation. However, connections to these desired destinations can be challenging in the areas of Snohomish County where there are gaps in the pedestrian and bicycle network. While some pathways need minor improvements, others have yet to be constructed. Snohomish County Public Works recognizes the importance of improving these connections and has implemented this Pathways for Active Transportation program. Snohomish County will host a month-long online open house starting Friday, Sept. 27 to gather public feedback on the county’s specific bike lane, sidewalk and trail needs as part of the Snohomish County Pathways for Active Transportation program.
“The program’s goal is to improve active transportation access and connectivity by developing a county-wide vision for active transportation and a plan to make that vision a reality,” Snohomish County Public Works Director Steve Thomsen said. “The development of a more diverse transportation system will help to create more transportation options and increase active transportation trips.”
The online open house will gather feedback from the public about what active transportation options residents currently use, community preferences, the barriers to using those paths and possible solutions to making those transportation options more accessible.
The event is part of a larger plan that includes stakeholder workshops with partner cities and towns and advocate organizations. County staff will take the results of the events and the online open house to draft an active transportation plan for Snohomish County with recommendations on:
- Goals and policies
- Criteria for prioritization of projects
- Funding strategies
- Design elements/scale
- A future active transportation circulation map
A second online open house and set of workshops will be presented for the public to give feedback on the plan during spring 2020. County staff will take those results, finalize the plan and present it to the Snohomish County Executive and Council for approval. The plan will be used to inform changes to the county’s comprehensive plan during the 2023 update, and subsequent changes to county development regulations and design standards.
About Snohomish County Public Works
The Snohomish County Public Works Department constructs and maintains county roads; controls and manages surface water quantity, quality, and fish habitats; and oversees the recycling and disposal of solid waste. The department’s main office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett, WA 98201. For more information about Snohomish County Public Works, visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/PublicWorks.