Sidewalk widths

The Justice Department’s Access Board will increase minimum sidewalk width from 36 inches to 48 inches.

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Existing sidewalks must be at least 36 inches wide except to enable a wheelchair to get around an obstruction. In such cases, as Figure 403.5.1 – Clear Width of an Accessible Route shows, width can be 32 inches.

ADAAG

Existing sidewalks must be at least 36 inches wide except to enable a wheelchair to get around an obstruction. In such cases, as Figure 403.5.1 – Clear Width of an Accessible Route shows, width can be 32 inches.

By

For existing facilities


You can work within the confines of existing situations, but do everything you can to stay within the previous 36-inch standard.

ADAAG 1994 4.3.1* General. All walks, halls, corridors, aisles, skywalks, tunnels, and other spaces that are part of an accessible route shall comply with 4.3.

4.3.3 Width. The minimum clear width of an accessible route shall be 36 in. except at doors (see 4.13.5 and 4.13.6).

If a person in a wheelchair must make a turn around an obstruction, the minimum clear width of the accessible route shall be as shown in top diagram.

Next page: And now an update

About the Author

Michele S. Ohmes

Michele S. Ohmes is an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) specialist and wheelchair user who works with public works departments, facility managers, and contractors. She travels the country doing presentations, multiday trainings, and consulting; and has written Public Works’ ADA column since 2010.

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