Knoxville City Council Passes Resolution in Support of Future Roadway Improvements which Address Safe and Efficient Transportation for All Roadway Users

Knoxville, Tenn. - September 9, 2009 - Gresham, Smith and Partners, a leading national planning, engineering, architecture, and interior design firm, announces the completion of a Complete Streets Study and Guidelines for the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization. The study and guidelines provide a set of tools and strategies to support complete streets transformations throughout the Knoxville region.  Immediately following completion of the study, the Knoxville City Council passed a resolution endorsing the creation, adoption and adherence to a 'Complete Streets Policy' on Tuesday, August 11, 2009. 

As part of the study effort, GS&P engaged the public and key stakeholders in two case studies of suburban corridors which resulted in a set of visions and recommendations that address safety, comfort and efficient transportation of all roadway users.  The findings and lessons learned from the case studies formed the basis for the draft Complete Streets Guidelines which can be viewed on the Knoxville Regional TPO website.

"The recommendations presented in the Complete Streets report will serve as guidelines for us as we continue to address the needs of all users of the roadway and create a more sustainable and livable approach to improving our existing roads," stated Ellen Zavisca, of the Knoxville TPO.  "The guidelines also present a context sensitive solutions (CSS) approach that balances mobility objectives with the goals of those who live, work and play in each corridor."

"Our team first worked to understand the relationship between the street and surrounding land uses, as well as how different users – automobiles, pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders – were currently served.  The feedback we received throughout the process from the public and key stakeholders was critical to our recommendations for the corridors," stated Kevin Tilbury, AICP, project manager, Gresham, Smith and Partners. "Our intent through this report was to not only provide the city with findings from the study that will lead to a safer roadway for all of its users, but improve the quality of life for those within the community."

The Final Corridor Reports include an overview which defines each suggested strategy, describes its potential impact on pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users and drivers and provides a price range to implement them.  The reports specifically include recommendations for improvements along the two case study corridors of North Broadway/US 441/SR 33 from Old Broadway to Colonial Circle in Knoxville’s Fountain City neighborhood and Washington Street/South Hall Road/SR 35 from Lamar Alexander Parkway to Lincoln Road in Maryville and Alcoa.

GS&P has broad experience in integrated, multimodal transportation and land use planning and corridor design. The firm recently completed a transportation strategy study for the city of Dayton, Ohio which aims to improve livability, mobility and safety within the Greater Rubicon Corridor.  The study will incorporate context sensitive and sustainable design elements to address usage of the corridor by automobiles, pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders.  Additionally the firm worked with the Louisville, Kentucky Metro Department of Planning & Design Services and a technical review committee to develop a Complete Street Design Manual. The resulting manual set forth procedural requirements as well as technical guidelines and standards for both new roads and infill development along existing roads.

About GS&P:
Gresham, Smith and Partners provides design and consulting solutions for the built environment that contribute to the success of national and international clients.  For more than 40 years, GS&P has focused on enhancing quality of life and sustainability within communities.  GS&P consists of industry-leading professionals practicing architecture and engineering design as well as scientists and highly specialized planning and strategic consultants in Transportation, Land Planning, Aviation, Corporate and Urban Design, Environmental Compliance, Healthcare, Industrial and Water Services.  GS&P consistently ranks among the top architecture and engineering firms in the United States.  For more information regarding GS&P, visit www.gspnet.com.