Tired of construction closing sidewalks? New city rule in the works

Tired of seeing sidewalks blocked because of construction? The city’s proposing a new rule, and taking comments right now – see how to have a say, at the end of this announcement:

Requests for construction-related closures of Seattle sidewalks will soon come under more stringent city review in an effort to make it easier and safer for people to walk here. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is proposing a revised Director’s Rule for Pedestrian Mobility in and Around Work Zones (SDOT DR 10-2015). The expanded rule emphasizes sidewalk closures as a last resort, when there is no other reasonable solution to keep a public walkway open.

“We want contractors and pedestrians to know what to expect, and we want to provide swift and certain enforcement when pedestrian access regulations are violated,” explained SDOT Director Scott Kubly. “Seattle considers safety for people walking and riding bikes a top priority because if they are hit, the likelihood of injury is almost 100 percent.”

The newly updated rule establishes standards for meeting Seattle Municipal Code requirements, including materials, their placement, and steps to ensure American Disability Act (ADA) compliance. These include calling for water-filled barriers to protect pedestrians around construction sites, and eliminating the orange tube delineators known as candlesticks as an option on arterials. This change alone could be life-saving, as the barriers were September 8, 2015 when a car crashed into them near a very busy bike lane along 2nd Avenue, near Pike Street. The driver was arrested for speeding but no one was hurt; the barriers worked as designed.

“This new rule means fewer people walking into traffic or zigzagging across intersections on their way home,” said Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, Chair of the Council’s Transportation Committee. “This is the result of SDOT’s collaboration with businesses, pedestrian and bicycle groups, and disability advocates. It’s heartening to know it’ll be easier to get around town as construction continues to boom.”

“We make safety personal; the people who interface with our projects are not only our end users, but also our own family and community members,” said Howard S. Wright Senior Safety Health & Environmental Manager Brian Sorensen. “It is important to see a refocus on the significance of safe pedestrian mobility and to “raise the bar” for our community.”

In the past, if contractors kept pedestrian access on the same side of the street as construction they could get a mobility credit; now that pedestrian routing approach is the proposed standard. The updated rule is supported by a new progressive enforcement procedure that focuses on providing clear direction to reduce infractions, and heightened attention on those with cumulative violations.

“The Alliance for Pioneer Square strongly supports improvements to pedestrian safety around construction zones,” said Alliance Public Realm Director Liz Stenning. “With an unprecedented number of development and construction projects throughout Pioneer Square and the rest of downtown, safe and efficient travel for all users and those with limited mobility should be prioritized.”

The complete DR 10-2015 is posted online at seattle.gov/transportation/drules.htm. Comment is being accepted now through October 29, 2015. To provide comment, contact LeAnne Nelson in the SDOT Street Use Division at leanne.nelson@seattle.gov or 206-684-3897. You may also drop off a written comment to the Street Use offices located on the 23rd floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower, at 700 5th Avenue downtown.

9 Replies to "Tired of construction closing sidewalks? New city rule in the works"

  • sure thing October 16, 2015 (2:14 pm)

    I highly doubt this. Downtown developers get sidewalks, parking lane and an additional traffic lane. It’s ridiculous. And they pay NO impact fees! Yeah whatever, stick it to the taxpayer, pedestrian and driver

  • Admiral935 October 16, 2015 (3:00 pm)

    Had to walk around a dug up sidewalk on California just yesturday. There was no way around it but to walk into the parking strip in the street. Not a big deal to me but definately a hazard and unpassable for the elderly or dangerous for the school kids. Here’s the point; parked both ends of the dig were three heavy trucks (one parked up on the curb, not bad only slightly on the grass strip) and all marked SDOT or City Seattle. Gave me a sad chuckle. The dig was only about 15 yards long (mid block but with no prior warning, so you’d have to turn around and use the previous crosswalk once you discovered the area was “unpassable”) They just simply didn’t bother, or understand?…different rules depending, I guess.

  • colleen October 16, 2015 (4:19 pm)

    I’ve found the Street Use and Urban Forestry division of SDOT to be highly responsive to photographs, cites of municipal codes and verbal descriptions of dangerous situations created for pedestrians by these companies. The construction site at Alaska and Fauntleroy has been a repeat offender. At one point they had the chain link fence obstructing the traffic signal button. And just recently they blocked off the sidewalk on Alaska to pedestrians and were forcing us to cross the street across 4 lanes of traffic. SDOT had both situations rectified immediately after I sent email and called.

  • Diana October 16, 2015 (5:28 pm)

    To Sure Thing: Please read the new rule change proposal. This is NOT going to “stick it to us.” It is going to cost the contractor through additional permitting fees and enforcement should they be out of compliance. It effects ALL contractors, not just developers. This includes landscape contractors, re-model contractors, plumbing contractors, etc. This is an excellent rule change to protect us all. The trickle down would most likely be in additional permitting costs which are usually passed on to a client.

    To Colleen: I agree with you 100%!

  • tom rasmussen October 16, 2015 (5:53 pm)

    One reason why there are so many problems is that SDOT does not have enough inspectors to make sure the contractors are providing safe pedestrian and vehicle routes around construction. The proposed 2016 budget for SDOT includes 36 more site
    inspectors. Those positions will be paid for by the contractors in their fees to the City.

  • Btown viking October 17, 2015 (1:27 am)

    Sidewalks are closed for pedestrian safety. It’s really not that big of a deal.

  • wetone October 17, 2015 (12:28 pm)

    This statement by our great SDOT Director Scott Kubly says it all… “Seattle considers safety for people walking and riding bikes a top priority because if they are hit, the likelihood of injury is almost 100 percent.”
    Statement shows exactly what his priority’s are and how bad he is for the job he holds. I realize he is talking about sidewalks, but all the same issues apply to all modes of movement around areas impacted by construction, whether walking, biking, transit or any type of motor vehicles. Improvement of rules around construction sites downtown or any Seattle area should include ALL. When Kubly makes a statement as above history shows that means more impacts for those not walking or bicycling.
    As far excuses of not having funding for more inspectors or other issues related to new construction it just shows how poorly our city government has and is doing their job with planning, prioritizing and spending. Common sense says these type of issues should of been thought about before opening the flood gates to Seattle’s building boom years ago instead of midstream ? How about road infrastructure improvements that are needed or fixing damages caused by builders ? Lots of street damage from repeated heavy truck/equipment usage, and city not holding builders accountable for repairs. Leaving taxpayers accountable for proper fixes. If people think money from Move Seattle Levy will be responsibly spent by the current city leaders good luck.

  • pam October 17, 2015 (1:25 pm)

    I wish when they would do this street work they would repair the streets correctly, each time, instead of a quick lumpy patch that tears up your car in addition to the sidewalk situation.

  • sure thing October 19, 2015 (10:57 am)

    Thanks Diana. What I describe has been going on for some time. Did someone downtown have a brainstorm or something? Forgive me if I’m not beside myself.

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