Lakewood staff present ADA transition plan, inventory shows 67 miles of sidewalk and ~1,200 curb ramps

City public works staff presented the draft Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition plan, describing scope, inventory results and implementation steps. "It is required by law, by federal law," the presenter said, noting the city exceeds 50 employees and therefore must maintain an ADA transition plan.

Staff summarized the 2021 pedestrian access inventory (67 miles of sidewalk, about 1,200 curb ramps and nearly 2,000 driveways reviewed) and said capital work over recent years has corrected many deficiencies but that remaining items remain to be prioritized. The plan focuses on pedestrian access routes in the right-of-way (sidewalks, curb ramps, crosswalks, pedestrian push buttons) and will be updated on a 3-to-5 year cycle, staff said.

Implementation elements include an annual inventory update tied to capital projects, a prioritization scoring system (condition, traffic volume as a surrogate for pedestrian use, ADA use locations and known complaints), and a baseline budget request around $260,000 to address intersection upgrades (ped ramps and push button upgrades). Staff also outlined funding sources (REET, transportation benefit district, grants including HSIP, CMAQ, STP, Safe Routes to School and TIB) and the grievance process.

Planning commission recommended forwarding the draft to council and staff proposed a tentative adoption date of June 1; council will have the opportunity to review comment summaries and take action after the public process.