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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for Streets and Sidewalks

Hidden in Plain Sight: Activating Urban Alleys

January 21, 2026  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Streets and Sidewalks ,  Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Programs ,  Downtown Revitalization Series

Activating alleys is a revitalization strategy that carries the possibility of strengthening local economies, enhancing safety, supporting arts and culture, and aligning with statewide planning goals. How are Washington cities transforming these underutilized spaces?

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Best Foot Forward: How the State Supports Improved Pedestrian Safety

October 22, 2025  by  Lisa Pool ,  Briana Weisgerber
Category:  Guest Author ,  Cycling and Walking ,  Streets and Sidewalks ,  Traffic Regulation and Enforcement

Looking to make your local roads safer for people biking and walking? Washington State offers a variety of resources, including grant programs, to support projects that create safer roads, from speed management strategies to the construction of better crosswalks. 

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Ready for Kick Off? Washington Prepares to Welcome the Beautiful Game in 2026

September 15, 2025  by  Flannary Collins
Category:  Parks and Recreation Facilities ,  Streets and Sidewalks ,  World Cup 2026

With an estimated six billion viewers worldwide, the FIFA World Cup 2026TM is coming to the U.S., with Seattle hosting six games next summer. How can cities take advantage of the recently passed HB 1515 to build lively gathering spaces for soccer fans across the state?

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2025 Legislation that Advances Sustainability in Washington Communities

July 7, 2025  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Cycling and Walking ,  Administration ,  Climate and Sustainability ,  Parking ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations ,  Streets and Sidewalks ,  Housing ,  Utilities ,  New Legislation and Regulations

This year's state legislative session passed bills addressing sustainability and climate action, updating the state's Clean Buildings Performance Standard, enacting extended producer responsibility, and encouraging the development of shared streets.

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Reducing Local Street Speed Limits in Bellevue: Safety Starts on Your Street – Part 2

January 21, 2025  by  John Murphy
Category:  Guest Author ,  Streets and Sidewalks ,  Traffic Regulation and Enforcement

Following a multiyear, iterative process, the City of Bellevue lowered the default speed limit on city streets to 20 mph. How did planning staff work with the city council and other departments to coordinate such a huge effort, and what advice would they offer to others?

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Reducing Local Street Speed Limits in Bellevue: Safety Starts on Your Street – Part 1

January 13, 2025  by  John Murphy
Category:  Guest Author ,  Streets and Sidewalks ,  Traffic Regulation and Enforcement

Partly in response to concerns about speeding, Bellevue lowered the default speed limit on city streets to 20 mph, but only after a three-year process that included laying the groundwork and running pilot programs to test the efficacy of lower speed limits on public safety.

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Continued Use of the Public Right-of-Way for Outside Dining

May 12, 2022  by  Steve Butler
Category:  COVID-19 ,  Streets and Sidewalks

This blog examines the key components of local parklet/streatery programs that were established during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and how Washington’s local governments are now evaluating the future of those programs.

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A How-To Guide to Sponsoring Summer Celebrations

April 26, 2022  by  MRSC Insight
Category:  Streets and Sidewalks ,  Gift of Public Funds ,  Special Events

Summer is coming and with it, the possibility of public celebrations! But a local government should plan carefully to both make the event a success and be sure that it does not unintentionally violate the constitutional gift of public funds prohibition. 

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An Emerging Issue: Robot Delivery Devices May Be Coming to a Neighborhood Near You

September 2, 2021  by  Nick Fisher
Category:  Guest Author ,  Cycling and Walking ,  Streets and Sidewalks

Coming soon: delivery by robot! While the state offers some guidance on safety requirements and where these devices can operate, local governments will need to consider creating their own regulations, including where device storage units can be located.

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Six Suggested Actions for Planners during the Extended COVID-19 Pandemic

January 28, 2021  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Streets and Sidewalks ,  Land Use Administration ,  Economic Development

This blog suggests some action items planners can undertake during the COVID-19 pandemic to encourage commerce, promote recreational opportunities, and streamline the planning process. 

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Creative Use of Street ROW During the COVID-19 Pandemic

June 3, 2020  by  Steve Butler
Category:  COVID-19 ,  Streets and Sidewalks

This blog post reviews how local governments can allow temporary use of the public ROW for business activity during the pandemic. 

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Street Names: Where Policy and History Meet

March 5, 2018  by  Lynn Nordby
Category:  Streets and Sidewalks

Wherever you travel the names of the local streets can help you find your way, confuse you, or very often tell you a bit about the unique history of the community. Having a logical, local policy on street naming (or renaming) can provide help future generations understand and retain the original meaning.

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Smarter, Safer Roads by Design

November 8, 2016  by  John W. Carpita, PE
Category:  Streets and Sidewalks

This post looks at how "smart roads" of the future might impact how local and state agencies design roads and traffic management systems.

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Municipalities Now Responsible for Addressing View-Obstructing Roadside Vegetation

February 4, 2016  by  Bob Meinig
Category:  Streets and Sidewalks

In a short, unanimous opinion issued last week, the Washington Supreme Court concluded that a municipality – a city or county – can be held liable for hazardous conditions on its roads created by naturally occurring roadside vegetation.

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Filling Gaps in your City’s Streetscape

April 23, 2015  by  John W. Carpita, PE
Category:  Streets and Sidewalks

How can cities or towns orchestrate streetscape retrofits adjacent to undeveloped lots so that the improvements are installed in a manner that is cost-effective and not haphazard?

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