SW0801-CS090608'~ _E O
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;'~ - ' ~1 TEXAS DEPAR T1IIENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION
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~ Fort Worth Regional Office
--- ' 1 SOl Circle Dr., Suite 21 S Fort Worth, Texas 76119
(817) 321-8350 (800) 687-4102 jax (8l7) 321-8365
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Monday, June 08, 2009 ~~2~/~~
City of Coppell'
City of Coppell Engineering Dept.
255 Parkway T31vd.
Coppell, "fX 7.5019
Attention: Mr. Kenneth M. Griffin, P.E.
RE: Special Inspection Denton Tap Road Sidewalk Project - SW08-Ol
TDLR Project No.: EABPRJA9000350
Dear Mr. Griffin:
Please find the results of the Special Pre-Construction Inspection.
PROPOSED PROJECT
The proposed project is to construct sidewalk along llenton Tap Road. This infill project will co~mect existing
sidewalks to create uninterrupted pathways along Denton Tap Road between SH-121 and Beltline Road.
GENERAL NOTES
Some concern was noted by city staff regarding the accessibility of the existing sidewalks, curb ramps and driveway
crossings and whether they would be required to brought up to current standards as part of this particular project.
Per TDLR interpretation of the Standards, as long as these existing elements are not altered, changed or modified
they will not be evaluated for compliance during the plan review or onsite inspectiim. 'T'hough it should be noted
that no alteration can have the effect of decreasing the accessibility of the existing element(s) below what is required
for new construction. Attention will need to be paid to areas where the new sidewalk will abut existing sidewalks,
driveways and curb ramps, particularly where the existing sidewalks have cross slopes in excess of the maximum
allowed 2%.
COMMENTS ON EXISTING SITE COIV"DIJ'IONS
Existing Curb Ramps at intersections -Existing curb ramps located at the intersections, as long as they are not
altered, will not be required to be modified in order to be brought into compliance. Though ensure that any new
sidewalk abutting the existing curb ramps does not exceed the maximum allowable slope of 5°~b (I :20) or cross slope
of 2°% (1:50).
NOTE: If the existing curb ramps are to be modified in order to comply with current standards then the following
will need to be considered (please refer to the attached TM 08-01 for additional information).
Austin Headquarters: E.O. Thompson State Office Building • 920 Colorado • Austin, Texas 78701
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l) Texture - A Detectable warning (truncated domes) as described in 4.29.2 of the TAS will need to be
applied to the existing curb ramps. At a minimum a 24" strip of detectable warning surface (truncated
domes), extending the full width of the ramp, will need to be installed.
2) Color -For purposes of warning, the full width and depth of the detectable warning surface shall have
a light reflective value (color) that significantly contrasts with that of adjoining pedestrian routes.
Driveway CrOSS1nQS -During the inspection it was noted that there will be numerous driveway crossings along the
proposed project route. It was also noted that existing curb lay downs will be utilized wherever possible, but in
certain cases it may be necessary to cut into the existing curb in order to provide the optimal routing and sidewalk
placement. If the curb to be modified is actually part of the driveway (a single concrete structure) then modifying
the curb will have the effect of also modifying the driveway. As a result the driveway will then become part of the
project and will have to meet all current standards (ie. longitudinal slope, cross slope, etc.).
Sheet 21 -East side of Denton Tap approximately 90' South of Sandy Lake Rd. -There is an existing slope of
approximately 14.5% and an approximate 2' change of level along the proposed sidewalk route, which will require
extensive site grading or the use of a ramp meeting all of the requirements of 4.8 of the TAS to accommodate the
change of level.
Sheet l2 & 19 -Concrete drainage flumes along the East side of Denton Tap -The existing concrete covers
over the flumes are greater than 36" in width and meet all TAS requirements for an accessible pedestrian route,
including slope and surface requirements and would therefore be acceptable "as is" if you wish to incorporate them
into the sidewalk project. It was proposed that "steel plating" is being considered in order to widen the tops of the
existing concrete flumes. As long as these steel plates provide a fine, stable and slip resistant surface, then they
would be an acceptable surface under the TAS.
Sheet 12 -Guy Wires crossing the proposed sidewalk - Ensure that the guy wires crossing the proposed sidewalk
provide the minimum 80" vertical clearance (4.4.2 of the TAS) or a barrier to warn blind or visually-impaired
persons shall be provided (the minimum 36" clear width of the accessible route must be maintained, however).
Sheet 11 -Proposed pedestrian bridge along the East side of Denton Tap - 1 was advised that a pedestrian
bridge is being considered and there was some questions regarding the requirement for handrails. At this time there
is no TAS requirement for handrails along a pedestrian bridge (if it maintains a slope of S% or less and therefore
does not fall under the requirements for a ramp under 4.8 of~the TAS) however obvious safety and possible liability
concerns should still be taken into consideration.
Sheet 6 -East side of Denton Tap between the Mobil station and Chicken Express -There is approximately a
3" change of level along the proposed sidewalk route over a course of approximately 2~'. This will require a ramp
and%or extensive grading to accommodate the change of level.
Let me know if 1 can be of any more assistance and if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to
contact me.
Morgan O'Keefe
Field Investigator -Compliance Division
(817) 321-8368 (office) (817) 735-5183 (mobile)
mor~an~r?;licensestate.tx.us
Texas Accessibility Standards
Technical Meynoranduin
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
Architectural Barriers
Issue Date: June 30, 2008 TM 08-01
Curb Ramps -Surface Texture/Contrast
Administrative Rule 68.102(b)(2) and TAS 4.7.4
The ONLY surface texture TDLR is currently aware of that meets the intent of both the "Texas
.Accessibility Standards and the currently enforceable federal Americans with Disabilities Act
Accessibility Guidelines are detectable warnings (aka truncated domes) meeting the technical
specifications of TAS 4.29.2.
With the intention of harmonizing both state and federal requirements, the Department issues the
following technical clarifications regarding surface texture requirements at curb ramps.
Curb Ramps in the Public Right-of--Way
All curb ramps constructed, renovated, modified, or altered within the public right-of--way must
comply with Architectural Barriers Administrative Rule 68.102(b)(2).
In accordance with Administrative Rules 68.102 and TAS 2.2, the Department is allowing the
detectable warning surface to be a minimum of 24" in depth (in the direction of pedestrian travel)
in lieu of the full depth of the curb ramp. The deviation from this particular technical requirement
does not require a variance. The truncated domes must still extend the full width of the cw-b
ramp (or landing as applicable at parallel curb ramps) and comply with TAS 4.29.2. Therefore the
requirements set forth in TAS 4.7.4(1) & (2) will not apply. Reference illustrations below:
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Texas Accessibility Standards
Technical Memorandum
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
Architectural Barriers
Issue Date: June 30, 2008
TM U8-O1
Curb Ramps -Surface Texture/Contrast
Administrative Rule 68.102(b)(2) and TAS 4.7.4
Curb Ramps NOT in the Public Right-of-Way
All curb ramps that are constructed, renovated, modified, or altered, but are NOT within the
public right-ot=way must comply with TAS 4.7.
The detectable warning surface must extend the full width and depth of the curb ramp (or landing
as applicable at parallel curb ramps). The Department strongly encourages the use of truncated
domes complying with TAS 4.29.2 as a means to satisfy both the state and federal requirements
in lieu of the surface textures listed under TAS 4.7.4(1). The requirements set forth in TAS
4.7.4(2) will also apply to the full width and depth of the curb ramp (or landing) as applicable.
This technical memorandum supersedes TM 99-15 issued in July 1999 and which is no
longer effective.
An_y previously issued 'I'M related to TAS 4.7.4 is still applicable for these curb ramps; however,
it is important to note that simply satisfying the requirements of TAS does not alleviate
compliance with federal law.
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