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I-694 NON-MOTORIZED CROSSING STUDY PAGE 8 The RBTN was developed in 2013-2014 through the Regional Bicycle System Study. That effort resulted in a regional map that identifies two tiers of investment priority in the TPP. The regional map is shown in Figure 3. The RBTN within the I-694 study area is shown in Figure 7, along with the rest of the existing and proposed transportation context. • Tier 1, Priority Regional Bicycle Transportation Corridors (purple): should be given the highest priority for transportation funding; these are the corridors and alignments that provide the highest transportation function by connecting the most regional activity centers through the developed urban and suburban areas of the region. • Tier 2, Regional Bicycle Transportation Network Corridors (green): should be given the second highest priority for transportation investment. These corridors provide transportation connectivity to outlying regional destinations within and beyond the urban / suburban areas and serve to connect priority regional bicycle transportation corridors. The map shows both defined alignments (narrow lines) and broad corridors. The alignments represent areas where local entities had done considerable planning and / or implementation of off-road trail or on-street bikeway facilities.” Broad corridors represent areas where further analysis is needed to identify the specific roadway or trail corridor that is most suitable for a bikeway. The TPP also includes many goals, strategies and supportive local actions that relate to pedestrian and bicycle mobility at all levels of transportation network – local, regional, and state. These statements emphasize the importance of mobility, access, safety and multi-modal connections for all users of the transportation system. Regional Parks Policy Plan The Regional Parks Policy Plan guides the development and expansion of the Regional Parks System, which includes Regional Trails. The Plan is updated every four years and identifies the goals and strategies for expanding and maintaining the system. Some existing trails in the study area are part of the existing Regional Parks System, including Highway 96 Regional Trail, and the Bruce Vento Regional Trail. Lexington Avenue/Parkway and the Trout Brook Extension are Regional Trail Search Corridors within the study area. These corridors are identified in the Regional Parks Policy Plan, but do not yet have an approved master plan and defined regional trail alignment. The Rice Creek North Regional Trail, which is currently north of the study area has a planned extension south into the study area to connect with CSAH 96. Regional trails are owned and operated by local implementing agencies (i.e. Ramsey County), but the Metropolitan Council provides support for the regional system in the form of planning, funding, information, marketing and advocacy. County Ramsey County has an adopted Comprehensive Plan that was adopted in 2010. Bicycle and pedestrian needs are discussed in both the Transportation and Parks and Open Space sections. The transportation section identifies several strategies for improving pedestrian and bicycle mobility with County roadways. The Parks and Open Space section includes a map of existing and proposed regional parks and connecting trails as well as information on existing and planned trails within County parks. The County has recently developed its first countywide pedestrian and bicycle plan.