What is the Vital Streets Program?
The Vital Streets program is the funding strategy for the investment in streets. This strategy sets the guidelines for the management and maintenance of funding. It also provides the tools for sustaining the investments made.
What Classifies as a Vital Streets?
Vital Streets = Complete Streets + Green Infrastructure
In 2014, Grand Rapids voters established the Vital Streets Fund to support long-term improvements to the condition of our streets. This program's focus is guided by our community values:
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Safety
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Healthy places
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Vibrant economy
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Environmental sustainability
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Diverse transportation options
Interested in our program outcomes?
Below you'll find dashboards, maps, and reports that show the current state of the Vital Streets program.
One of our key goals is to improve overall road conditions.
We evaluate street quality each year by using the PASER rating system.
The Vital Streets program aims for 70% of streets in good or fair condition by 2031 (PASER ratings 5 -10).
Source: City of Grand Rapids Engineering Department
Tell Us What You Think
We want your feedback so our streets serve everyone's needs.
Vital Streets Oversight Commission
Have Questions?
Contact us at:
CGR Engineering Department
(616) 456-3066
Or visit us at:
City Hall
300 Monroe Ave NW
5th Floor
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Building on the complete streets approach, the Vital Streets Program aims to create safe, comfortable walking paths for everyone.
Our Goals
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Inspect or repair/replace all existing sidewalks in a 15-year revolving cycle
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250% increase in miles of sidewalk repaired annually
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Increased and accelerated ADA ramp installation
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Improved sidewalk connectivity, by adding 5 additional miles by 2020
Source: City of Grand Rapids Engineering Department
The Vital Streets team tracks traffic crash data for our streets. We update this data on an annual basis.
Source: City of Grand Rapids Engineering Department
Vital Streets funds are tracked across several key categories to ensure balanced and effective investment. Funding is monitored by ward, street type, and repair type.
We evaluate three types of streets:
We also track three types of repair work:
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Preventative Maintenance
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Rehabilitation
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Reconstruction
Source: City of Grand Rapids Engineering Department
