Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Residents, advocacy groups demand DDOT shorten sidewalk-repair timelines and pilot brick-appearance alternatives
Summary
Community groups and civic organizations told the transportation committee that DDOT's 270-business-day service level for sidewalk repairs leaves pedestrians at risk. Witnesses urged halving that target to 60 days, better data collection on sidewalk injuries, and pilots of longer-lasting brick-appearance concrete sidewalks in historic areas.
A thread that ran through multiple public witnesses during the Committee on Transportation and the Environment oversight hearing was frustration with the District Department of Transportation's pace and priorities for sidewalk repairs.
Chuck Elkins, treasurer of a Capitol Hill neighborhood sidewalk coalition, summarized repeated testimony: DDOT currently routes many tripping-hazard repairs into long-term capital projects — a practice he said saves the agency money but leaves hazards in place for months. "Some of these tripping hazards go into the capital budget project team," Elkins told the committee. "We believe that all tripping hazards should be done quickly, even if it means the department will need to return later."…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
