Nonmotorized Transportation | Transp Plan & Prog | Public Works and Utilities

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Nonmotorized Transportation (Biking and Walking)

Nonmotorized transportation includes facilities designed primarily for the use of pedestrians and bicyclists such as:

sidewalks
paved shoulders
wide curb lanes
shared-use paths (paved)

Above: New sidewalks, crosswalks, and paved shoulders on 86th Avenue East and 128th Street East.

2012 Nonmotorized Projects

Above: Paved shoulders on new Vaughn Bay Bridge (South Vaughn Road KPN north of 92nd Street KPN).

The 2012 Nonmotorized Project List identifies nonmotorized improvements that are either under construction or scheduled to begin construction this year.

These nonmotorized improvements may be constructed on their own or in conjunction with other roadway improvements. However, the construction schedule for any project may be affected by financial, design, environmental, right-of-way, or other delays.

Above: New sidewalks and paved shoulders on 94th Avenue East between 136th and 116th Streets East.

Nonmotorized Transportation Planning Documents

Nonmotorized Transportation Plan

Nonmotorized transportation planning is important to help increase mobility choices, relieve traffic congestion, reduce air pollution and fuel consumption, promote physical activity and health, and improve quality of life.

Pierce County has adopted a Nonmotorized Transportation Plan (NMTP) (PDF), which is incorporated by reference into the Pierce County Code. The policies of the NMTP also appear in the Transportation Element of the Pierce County Comprehensive Plan.

The links below include the project recommendations from the NMTP for specific areas in Pierce County.

East Pierce County Nonmotorized System (PDF)
Mid Pierce County Nonmotorized System (PDF)
North Pierce County Nonmotorized System (PDF)
Peninsula Pierce County Nonmotorized System (PDF)
South Pierce County Nonmotorized System (PDF)
West Pierce County Nonmotorized System (PDF)

Free copies of the Nonmotorized Transportation Plan are available at the Public Works and Utilities Records Counter, Room 150, 2401 South 35th Street, Tacoma.

Community Plans

Subsequent to the adoption of the NMTP, Pierce County has adopted several Community Plans for different unincorporated areas of the county. These Community Plans have included nonmotorized recommendations which have essentially updated or replaced the previous recommendations in the NMTP. For the unincorporated areas which are not covered by a Community Plan, the project recommendations in the NMTP are still applicable.

Regional Trails Plan

While the Public Works and Utilities Department is responsible for on-road pedestrian and bicycle improvements within the right-of-way of the County's roadway system, the Parks and Recreation Department plays the lead role in developing the off-road trails and shared-use paths. The Parks and Recreation Department has prepared the Pierce County Regional Trails Plan (PCRTP). The project recommendations in the PCRTP have essentially updated or replaced the previous trail recommendations in the NMTP and the Community Plans.

Existing Off-Road Trails in Pierce County

The Parks and Recreation Department's website has additional information about biking, walking, and horse trails.

For More Information and Additional Resources

If you have any questions about the information on this web page, please contact:

Shawn Phelps
Pierce County Public Works and Utilities
Transportation Planning and Programming Division
4301 South Pine Street, Suite 446 / Tacoma, WA 98409-7207

Phone: (253) 798-3552 / Fax: (253) 798-2727

Click here for additional biking and walking resources.