Implementing Complete Streets Guidance at WSDOT

Session 6B | Thursday | 2:45 PM – 4:00 PM (PT)

About the Session

Complete Streets is an approach to planning and operating roadways to facilitate safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and motorists. Complete Streets are designed for comfortable access by all ages and abilities. In 2022, the Washington State Legislature mandated a "Complete Streets" approach for planning highway projects with a cost of $500,000 or more. WSDOT is in the early stages of implementing this legislative directive. This session will provide an overview of the opportunities, approach, and lessons learned from the first two projects in the WSDOT Southwest Region to undergo the Complete Streets planning process.

About the Moderator

None.

About the Speakers

Dylan Michael Bass

SWR Principal Multimodal Planner, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT

Dylan Bass serves as the Southwest Region Principal Multimodal Planner for the Washington State Department of Transportation, where he specializes in active transportation planning and leading projects through the agency's Complete Streets process. Dylan's previous experience includes community and environmental planning in the municipal context, review of development proposals for transportation-related impacts, and planning for use of remediated brownfield sites. Dylan holds a B.A. in Urban Planning and Sustainable Development from Western Washington University with a minor in Environmental Policy.

Natalie Owen, PE

Vice President, Civil Engineer, WSP USA, Inc.

Natalie Owen is the Civil group lead for WSP's Oregon/SW Washington team with over 18 years of industry experience and leadership. As an active transportation engineering lead on a variety of multimodal projects, Natalie brings breadth of experience with clients who consistently advance groundbreaking new ideas in active transportation safety solutions. Natalie currently leads bi-state programmatic bicycle and pedestrian design simultaneously with multiple local agency projects for WSP. She is passionate about improving lives in local communities through accessible, equitable engineering solutions for users of all ages and abilities. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, snuggling her zany cat, and riding bikes with her husband and two young sons.

Kelly Smith

Managing Director, Citizen Engineers.

Kelly Smith is a transportation planner and Managing Director of Citizen Engineers, specializing in Complete Streets, prioritizing equitable solutions, and leading teams with compassion and inclusiveness. She has worked for both public and private entities in the transportation space and prides herself on bringing an interdisciplinary lens to identify the most holistic solution for each individual community. She loves to work on collaborative teams that bring together diverse perspectives and creative thinking, and she believes that transportation has the potential to influence public health, quality of life, and a more regenerative built environment.

Aliza Whalen, AICP

WSP

Aliza Whalen is a Senior Transportation Planner at WSP with experience managing active transportation projects, leading government relations tasks, and writing equity-focused policy reports. Aliza holds a Master of Community and Regional Planning from the University of Oregon. When not at her desk, you can find Aliza on a trail, in her garden, or reapplying sunscreen.

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