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ATAC forwards city sidewalk and concrete construction plan to Transportation Committee
Summary
The Active Transportation Advisory Committee reviewed in‑house sidewalk repairs and construction priorities, heard staff say crews handled 1,022 service requests this year, and voted to forward the sidewalk/concrete construction plan to the Transportation Committee for further action.
The Active Transportation Advisory Committee voted Thursday to forward the city’s sidewalk and concrete construction plan to the Transportation Committee after hearing staff describe in‑house workload and project sequencing.
City staff told the committee the in‑house sidewalk crew completed 1,022 service requests this year, ranging from 10‑foot repairs to 150‑foot replacements, and that remaining work includes many difficult sites that require design, utility coordination and property sign‑offs. Staff recommended prioritizing near‑campus corridors and projects with existing utility potholing already completed, and outlined two design candidates for 2026 — Cleveland Street and a section of 15th Street — while noting some work is delayed by legal issues between adjacent property owners.
Committee members discussed several safety countermeasures during the presentation, including adding leading pedestrian intervals (LPI) at high‑pedestrian intersections and restricting right‑on‑red in denser areas. One staff presenter cited FHWA guidance on LPIs and reported that such timing changes are proven countermeasures. Members asked about equipment compatibility and cabinet upgrades; staff said some older signal cabinets require hardware changes and that costs vary by location.
During the discussion, committee members also raised aesthetic questions about crosswalk treatments downtown and whether decorative pavement would jeopardize federal funding; staff cited the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and FHWA guidance limiting certain decorative crosswalk installations.
A motion to forward the sidewalk/concrete construction plan to the Transportation Committee was made and seconded; the chair called for the question and members responded in the affirmative. The motion carried and the plan will be considered by the Transportation Committee.
The committee also heard brief updates about bridge and trail‑adjacent sidewalk repairs, and staff emphasized that heavy design work, utility coordination and seasonal weather constraints will shape the team’s ability to deliver projects next year.
