ADA and Steep Streets
ADA and Steep Streets
(OP)
I have prepared plans for a street rehab of an existing street where the existing street grades are over 5% in some areas. This project includes sidewalk replacement and the contractor is saying that he can't build a sidewalk with a slope greater than 5% because it is against the ADA (CBC in California) code. I have always thought that the sidewalk can follow the grade of the road without any issues but I can't justify it with a specific code. Anyone have any thoughts? What do they do in San Fransico?





RE: ADA and Steep Streets
Technically Infeasible. Means, with respect to an alteration of a building or a facility, that it has little likelihood of being accomplished because existing structural conditions.......or because other existing physical or site constraints prohibit modification or addition of elements, spaces, or features which are in full and strict compliance with the minimum requirements for new construction and which are necessary to provide accessibility.
How long are your sections greater than 5%? Do you have room in the ROW to create sidewalk switchbacks? Ramps can also exceed 5% (1:12) for 30-foot distances as long as they have handrails and landing areas at either ends.
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RE: ADA and Steep Streets
RE: ADA and Steep Streets
RE: ADA and Steep Streets
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: ADA and Steep Streets
h
Civil Development Group, LLC
Los Angeles Civil Engineering specializing in Hillside Grading
http://cdg-ca.com
RE: ADA and Steep Streets
https://
See Page 18-59, Paragraph 18.8.2 - it might answer your question
RE: ADA and Steep Streets
RE: ADA and Steep Streets
RE: ADA and Steep Streets
I work primarly in the San Francisco Bay Area, and yes the great manjority of the time, the sidewalk will follow the slope of the street. That is what is done in San Francisco. In other cities, they allow you to follow the grade of the road as long as the sidewalk is not separated from the curb.
In my 5 years of experience, I have only come across one project where I was asked to meet ADA standards for a sidewalk on a street that exceeded 10%. The only way to do so, was to separate the sidewalk and slope it to the maximum 8.33% with handrails. It was a so NOT attractive solution but it was approved.
The moment that your walkway exceeds 5% and its separated than it becomes a ramp and there are length, width and handrail requirements that need to be followed. I hope this helps.
RE: ADA and Steep Streets
RE: ADA and Steep Streets