Street Classifications

About the Street Network

The street network is constructed in a hierarchical manner to provide efficient and effective routes from one’s origin to destination. Arterial streets form the backbone of the street network. These high-capacity roadways serve as direct links between different areas of the city.

Local collectors feed into these arterials, allowing motorists quick and easy access to the major roadways while at the same time allowing pedestrians and bicyclists to move about their neighborhood and to move from one to another. The majority of streets in the city are local neighborhood streets. These streets provide residents access to their houses.

Design Characteristics of Seven Roadway Classifications

Design speed refers to the design specifications and can differ from posted speed limit.
Type of Road
Trip Length
Design Speed*
Pavement Width
Number of Lanes
Average Daily Trips
Freeway Greater than 5 miles
70 mph 72 to 96 feet
6 to 8
80,000
Expressway Greater than 5 miles 60 mph 72 feet
6 75,000
Principal Arterial 1 to 2 miles
45 mph 83 to 120 feet
6 15,000 to 50,000
Minor Arterial Greater than 1 mile
40 mph 60 to 72 feet
4 to 5
10,000 to 25,000
Major Collector 1 mile
35 mph 44 feet
2 to 4
3,500 to 10,000
Minor Collector 1 mile
30 mph 36 feet
2 to 3
1,500 to 3,500
Local Street Less than 1 mile
25 mph 34 feet
2 200 to 1,500