The program aims to help neighborhoods address concerns over traffic speed and volumes
VANCOUVER — The City of Vancouver’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program has been recognized as one the Best Neighborhood Programs across the country by Neighborhoods, USA (NUSA), a national, non-profit organization committed to building and strengthening neighborhood organizations.
Vancouver’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program, which tied for second place in the Social Revitalization/Neighborliness category, received the award during a May 18 ceremony at the 44th annual NUSA Conference.
“This is a great honor,” said Ross Montgomery, Chair of the independent, resident-led Neighborhood Traffic Safety Alliance (NTSA). “The award is a tribute to the NTSA volunteers and to our partnership with the City of Vancouver and the many departments that support community efforts, including Community and Economic Development and Public Works.”
Vancouver’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program explores innovative ways to help residents throughout the city address concerns and raise awareness about traffic speeds and volumes. Neighborhood residents are encouraged to champion projects and become actively involved in the process of proposing and selecting traffic calming projects that provide the most benefit for neighborhoods and community. A hallmark of the successful program is its collaboration between the NTSA and the City.
“Through the years, this program has continued to evolve and improve, reflecting the needs of the community,” said Jennifer Campos, Principal Planner with Community and Economic Development. “We appreciate the support and interest all have shown in making this collaboration successful.”
In 2019, the Neighborhood Traffic Calming program will allocate approximately $270,000 for traffic calming projects. Funding is made available through a combination of resources, including Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) and Vancouver Street Funding Strategy revenues. Vancouver’s Street Funding Strategy, a long-term solution adopted in late 2015, is designed to improve and take care of the community’s street system.
“The City of Vancouver has worked with the Neighborhood Traffic Safety Alliance for almost 20 years to promote traffic safety in residential areas,” said Department of Public Works Director Brian Carlson. “This award reflects the dedication of NTSA members and City staff to this truly neighborhood-based program. An even greater reward is seeing all the positive outcomes we’ve been able to accomplish together over time.”
Neighborhoods, USA (NUSA) is a national, non-profit organization committed to building and strengthening neighborhood organizations. Created in 1975 to share information and experiences used to build stronger communities, NUSA continues to encourage networking and information-sharing to facilitate the development of partnerships among neighborhood organizations, government and the private sector for the ultimate goal of strengthening every neighborhood.
More details regarding Vancouver’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program can be found on the City’s website: www.cityofvancouver.us/TrafficCalmingProgram.
