Led by the indefatigable Councilwoman Connie Kepert, the Town of Brookhaven in Suffolk County last week became the third municipality on Long Island to adopt a complete streets policy.

Building on the momentum begun by the Towns of Babylon and Islip, Brookhaven adopted a policy that “establishes a Sustainable Complete Streets policy which shall, where context appropriate, provide for the needs of drivers, public transportation vehicles and patrons, bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.” According to the policy, “all street projects deemed context appropriate by the Commissioner of Planning” will be guided by the design guidelines in the American Planning Association’s Complete Streets: Best Policy and Implementation Practices.

Like the Babylon and Islip policies before it, the Brookhaven policy only applies to town-owned roads.  This is a success story in and of itself considering over 42% of fatalities and injuries to pedestrians and cyclists occur on town roads.

These policies are welcome and will undoubtedly go a long way towards mitigating preventable fatalities and injuries on town roads. But Long Islanders living near some of the most dangerous roads in the region will have incomplete protection until the State Legislature finally adopts a statewide complete streets policy.

Graphic: From TSTC analysis.