The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) is proud to announce that the cities of Anchorage, Cleveland, Decatur, Mesa, New Braunfels, and Redmond joined the NACTO network of member cities and agencies dedicated to building safe, sustainable, and equitable transportation systems across North America.
“NACTO’s network empowers cities to share bold ideas, test new approaches, and scale up what works,” said NACTO Executive Director Ryan Russo. “The range in geography and size among these six new members reflects the growing momentum for people-centered street design across North America. Their experiences and insights will strengthen our collective ability to build safe, sustainable, and accessible transportation systems.”
As NACTO’s membership has grown, so has its cities’ collective impact. Together, NACTO and its members played a key role in shaping the bipartisan federal infrastructure law—making recommendations to reshape programs and direct billions of dollars in funding to build pedestrian, bike and transit infrastructure and to reconnect communities divided for decades by highway infrastructure—and raised a collective voice in support of safer vehicle design regulations and removing red tape for safer streets at the federal level. NACTO members elevate successful designs and approaches, share opportunities, and come together to develop cutting-edge resources, including the recently released NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide.
Each of these new members has already taken ambitious action on their own:
- Anchorage, Alaska recently launched a Neighborhood Greenways program and is expanding Vision Zero efforts by hiring a dedicated Vision Zero coordinator.
- Cleveland, Ohio adopted the ambitious Cleveland Moves transportation plan earlier this year, which includes plans to build 50 miles of high-comfort bikeways in three years.
- Decatur, Georgia’s nearly-complete Safe Streets Safety Action Plan aims to enhance roadway safety for all users and eliminate traffic fatalities.
- Mesa, Arizona’s recent 2050 Transportation Master Plan maps out plans for comprehensive bike and pedestrian networks, and their upcoming Comprehensive Safety Action Plan will identify specific strategies and projects to reduce transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries.
- New Braunfels, Texas adopted a Street Safety Action Plan in 2024 and has since initiated or completed nine of ten priority safety projects.
- Redmond, Washington adopted a comprehensive safety action plan on April 15 and is already moving forward with two recommended projects from that plan: conducting a citywide speed reduction study and pedestrian safety improvements along a key multilane transit corridor.
“Public safety—including traffic safety for every member of our community—is one of the Municipality of Anchorage’s highest priorities,” said Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance. “Joining NACTO gives us a new opportunity to collaborate with peer cities across the United States and Canada on safer, more cost-effective transportation solutions that account for our unique winter conditions. As Alaska’s largest subarctic city, we also bring valuable expertise and a unique perspective to this national conversation.”
“I’m excited for Anchorage to become NACTO’s northernmost member city and to have this opportunity to join in the national conversation about safer streets for all,” said Brad Coy, Anchorage’s traffic engineering director. “We are especially eager to explore how best practices can be adapted for winter cities like ours that experience snow, ice, and long winters. This is a great chance to learn, contribute, and help shape improved transportation designs that work in every kind of weather.”
“The City of Cleveland is committed to investing in safe and accessible transportation options for all,” said Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb. “My administration is focused on building strategic partnerships and implementing proven, effective solutions that expand opportunities for walking and biking, while enhancing traffic safety in our region. In collaboration with NACTO, we look forward to building upon our progress, further ensuring that both residents and visitors can enjoy a healthier, sustainable, and more connected city.”
“The City of Decatur’s membership with NACTO means access to technical resources and a collaborative network in support of our Destination 2030 strategic goals and the Decatur Safe Streets Safety Action Plan, helping us to create safer, more affordable ways for getting around—for more people, more of the time,” said Cara Scharer, Decatur’s assistant city manager of public works.
“Mesa’s membership in NACTO represents a significant step forward in our ongoing commitment to creating safer, more efficient, and sustainable transportation systems,” said Erik Guderian, interim director for Mesa’s Transportation Department. “This partnership will enhance our ability to deliver innovative mobility solutions for our residents and visitors. We are proud to join a network of forward-thinking cities and look forward to engaging with industry leaders to share best practices and foster meaningful collaboration.”
“We are proud to be a member of the NACTO community so we can learn and collaborate with other member-cities in our pursuit of safe, accessible, and sustainable transportation,” said Garry Ford, New Braunfels’ director of transportation and capital improvements. “Our membership comes at a pivotal time for New Braunfels with the implementation of the city’s Strategic Plan and Street Safety Action Plan, ongoing investments in transportation improvements, and the creation of the New Braunfels Transit District. We are looking forward to accessing and contributing to the best practices for transportation design and policies as we develop our local plans and update our requirements.”
“We’re proud to join the National Association of City Transportation Officials, reaffirming our commitment to creating safer and more sustainable streets for our community,” said Redmond Mayor Angela Birney. “This partnership will help us continue to innovate and bring more people-centric transportation choices to Redmond.”
NACTO provides its members valuable technical assistance, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and forums for sharing best practices. Through its peer networks, annual Designing Cities conference, federally recognized design- and policy-focused publications, targeted street design workshops, and virtual design charrettes, NACTO members showcase new projects, receive feedback from peers and industry experts, explore common challenges, and learn from shared experiences.
See all NACTO member cities and agencies at nacto.org/members.
About the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO)
NACTO is an association of about 100 major North American cities and transit agencies formed to exchange transportation ideas, insights, and practices and cooperatively approach national transportation issues. The organization’s mission is to build cities as places for people, with safe, sustainable, accessible, and equitable transportation choices that support a strong economy and vibrant quality of life. To learn more, visit NACTO.org.
Contact
Elise Harmon-Freeman | elise [at] nacto.org
Alex Engel | alex [at] nacto.org
For Immediate Release
May 1, 2025
