Boston reaffirms consent-decree ramp commitments; plans 1,630 ADA ramps next year

City transportation and public works officials told the Council’s Ways and Means committee on May 20 they remain under a consent decree to deliver accessible curb ramps across Boston and plan a large delivery next construction season.

Deputy Chief Julia Campbell said the Streets Cabinet is “under a consent decree” and that for the coming year the department is committed to delivering 1,630 curb ramps. “We are working on forming and finalizing our plan to do that in this construction season and fixing as many sidewalks as we can adjacent to those ramps along the way,” Campbell said.

Staff said ramp work is being coordinated with the department’s aggressive paving schedule; ramps connected to already-scheduled resurfacing will be prioritized so that ADA-compliant transitions are installed when streets are repaved. Campbell said Beacon Hill design work and surveys are under way and that the city has a five-year target window to deliver ramps in some neighborhoods, with the department aiming to accelerate that timeline where possible.

Councilors asked how often the department coordinates with the Boston Disability Commission on ADA issues; Campbell said staff coordinate with Commissioner Kristen Nakash and the commission ‘‘on almost a daily basis.’’

Officials asked for Council support to maintain capital funding that sustains ramp and sidewalk delivery and said they will provide schedules and more granular design and delivery information to councilors and neighborhood groups.