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Pedestrian safety, sidewalk repairs and crossing-guard shortfalls pressed at DDOT budget hearing
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Summary
Commissioners, advocates and neighborhood groups asked the committee to require faster repairs for tripping hazards, stronger crossing-guard staffing and a new pedestrian master plan; some requested a 60-day service-level target and explicit adoption of ADA guidance.
Multiple witnesses told the committee that sidewalk defects, slow 311 responses and a shortage of crossing guards are causing avoidable injuries and hindering safe walking, especially for older residents and schoolchildren.
What witnesses asked: Commissioner Jeffrey Ruckower (ANC 2B02) and others pressed the committee to direct DDOT to adopt a 60-business-day service-level target for repairing tripping hazards and to treat a one-quarter-inch elevation difference as a defect consistent with ADA guidance. Commissioner Elkins and Capitol Hill advocates emphasized that tripping hazards cause serious injuries for seniors and urged the council to require better data collection (including an injury question on 311 reports).
Crossing-guard staffing and program changes: Carrie Savage and Kiana Lamons of PAVE reported 38 vacant crossing-guard positions in DDOT's most recent performance figures and urged recruitment and retention measures, better training and improved school communication about guard placement and absences. Parents described relying on crossing guards for safe arrival and after-school safety.
Pedestrian master plan and pilots: Fannette Eaton and Heather Foote urged a five-year strategic pedestrian plan; Eaton requested $100,000 to fund DDOT's update. Scott Price (Capitol Hill Village) proposed a $50,000 pilot to test stamped-poured concrete sidewalks that visually replicate brick while lowering maintenance risk.
Process and data: Commissioners and advocates want DDOT to add an injury field to 311 sidewalk repair requests, to track time to repair and to report lost-year carryover impacts caused by front-loaded capital allocations.
Ending: The panel asked DDOT leadership to bring precise definitions, performance targets, cost implications and a plan for crossing-guard staffing to the upcoming agency hearing.
