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Sandy Forks Road has three bioretention basins including one in the median.
Environmental Benefits
The Complete Streets strategy supports environmental sustainability efforts by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting greener practices.
Implementing alternative forms of transportation to street design creates safer and more accessible options for residents. Riding a bike in a bike lane, walking on a sidewalk, or using the bus instead of driving a car ultimately creates less greenhouse gas emissions.
Sustainable techniques are often used when constructing Complete Streets. By using warm-mix asphalt, fuel consumption decreases reducing the production of greenhouse gases. In addition, recycled materials, such as concrete, are used as base stone under roadway pavement. Did you know that asphalt is the world’s most recycled material?
Complete Streets also lower transportation costs over time through infrastructure such as roundabouts, which save energy when used instead of traffic lights.
When constructing Complete Streets, sustainable features like Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) are often added to public streets. GSI promotes ecofriendly development and effective stormwater management to ensure that streets remain safe. Examples of GSI practices include:
- planting trees;
- creating bioretention basins, rain gardens, dry ponds, and wetlands;
- using permeable surfaces; and,
- adding plants that help manage stormwater runoff.
Finally, including more trees and green spaces when constructing Complete Streets helps decrease urban heat island effects and increase community aesthetical value.