Annual Curb Ramp Program
ADA Sidewalk Curb Ramps
Sidewalk curb ramps that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) help people with disabilities safely transition from the street to the sidewalk and vice versa. The City is required to evaluate and add ADA ramps where needed as part of its Pavement Management program. Per the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), streets receiving treatments that are considered an alteration – such as asphalt overlay paving, microsurfacing and cape sealing treatments – are required to be upgraded so that existing curb ramps meet current ADA requirements. In areas where ADA-compliant ramps exist, no changes are currently required.
2023 Program
Curb ramps at approximately 127 locations along the various project routes will be upgraded to current standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to improve accessibility and mobility for all. Crews typically perform this work from March through early July. Federal requirements mandate that curb ramps be upgraded to current ADA-compliant standards along streets receiving treatments that are considered an alteration, such as paving or cape sealing. In areas where ADA-compliant ramps exist, no changes are required.
- East Fourth Plain Boulevard, from Main Street to Fort Vancouver Way: The City of Vancouver will soon begin upgrading curb ramps for improved pedestrian accessibility, in keeping with current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as part of the City’s 2023 Pavement Management Program. Approx. 30 curb ramps will be upgraded at various locations along the corridor including several signal upgrades.
- Blairmont Drive: Construction will occur at the north corners of Blairmont and McGillivray.
- Fircrest Neighborhood: Construction will occur at various corners just north of Mill Plain Boulevard.
- Morrison Road: Construction will occur at several corners along Morrison and Garrison roads.
- Van Mall Neighborhood: Construction will occur at various corners along NE 51st Street and around the NE Vancouver Mall Drive/Loop road.
Resources
Pavement Map: View the current 2023 Pavement Management Program map. Map is subject to changes.
What is an ADA Curb Ramp?
Curb ramps help people with disabilities safely transition from a roadway to a curbed sidewalk and vice versa. A curb ramp is a short ramp cutting through a curb or built up to it. ADA standards require that curb ramps include “detectable warnings,” such a series of small domes that contrast in color with the surrounding sidewalk or street, which are added once the ramps are in place. The City is required to evaluate and add ADA ramps where needed as part of its Pavement Management program. Curb ramps are a small but important part of making pedestrian routes accessible to everyone.
Questions?
If you have questions about the ADA curb improvements, please contact Chris Sneider, Pavement Program Manager in Vancouver Public Works at 360-487-8177.
If you have questions regarding construction work, please contact Vancouver Public Works’ Construction Services at 360-487-7750.