PORTLAND — The Portland City Council unanimously approved a street planning program that will help make roads, sidewalks, and thoroughfares easier to navigate for cyclists, pedestrians and others.

Called the Complete Streets policy, the initiative is meant to balance the needs of vehicles, transit riders, cyclists, commercial vehicles, and emergency responders with neighborhood concerns. A year in the making, the policy will take multiple years to implement as construction and street revamping projects arise.

“The city has taken an important step to assure that each dollar spent on roadways and walkways is done so that all users will benefit now and into the future,” said Portland Mayor Michael Brennan, in a statement.”

First up to incorporate the policy will be projects on Franklin Street, Forest Avenue, and Outer Congress Street.