{"id":43176,"date":"2015-10-08T21:52:48","date_gmt":"2015-10-08T21:52:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zonda.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/article\/sidewalk-widths_o"},"modified":"2015-10-08T21:52:48","modified_gmt":"2015-10-08T21:52:48","slug":"sidewalk-widths_o","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zonda.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/projects\/infrastructure\/sidewalk-widths_o\/","title":{"rendered":"Sidewalk widths"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Question<\/strong>: Does Figure 403.5.1 \u2013 Clear Width of an Accessible Route<\/strong> apply to buildings (like hallways) and sidewalks within the public right of way? We want to provide sufficient space around trees that encroach sidewalks but aren\u2019t candidates for removal. Specifically, may we narrow a 60-inch sidewalk to 32 inches for 2 feet and then widen it to 3 feet? \u2014 Ezra, Indiana<\/p>\r

Answer<\/strong>: As usual, there\u2019s no simple yes or no answer.<\/p>\r

For new construction<\/h3>\r

Per the Proposed Supplements to Proposed Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way<\/a>, you can\u2019t go under the minimum 4-foot width.<\/p>\r

Although the following text isn\u2019t the final rule, I encourage you to use it as a best practice to defend against possible complaints. In their decision-making, the U.S. Justice Department and courts usually take into account any efforts that show a public agency was trying to follow the spirit of the law.<\/p>\r

<\/strong><\/a>R302.3 Continuous Width<\/a><\/strong>.<\/strong> Except as provided in R302.3.1, the continuous clear width of pedestrian access routes shall be 4 feet minimum, exclusive of curb width.<\/p>\r

Advisory R302.3 Continuous Width. Applies to:
<\/p>