ST9902-CS120510
Halie Hernandez
From:CMO
Sent:Thursday, May 10, 2012 2:33 PM
To:Clay Phillips; Kenneth Griffin; Mario Canizares; Streets
Subject:Fwd: Sidewalk Completion Reminder
Attachments:IMAGE.jpeg; IMAGE.jpeg; IMAGE.jpeg
>>> Paul Weiser <boulder@verizon.net> 5/10/2012 8:12 AM >>>
Gentlemen,
This is a reminder about the incomplete sidewalk at the intersection of Whispering Hills
Dr and W Sandy Lake Rd. It is presently hazardous and probably fails to meet agency
requirements. The remainder of this email explains the situation, provides a few
snapshots, and describes required remedial action.
Background: Recently a the sidewalk was extended from Oak Trail to Whispering Hills
along the north side of W Sandy Lake Rd, terminating in the crosswalk at Whispering
Hills. As originally completed, the sidewalk had no problems other than drop-off at the
sides to the dirt. However, three wooden utility poles were subsequently placed along
the same line, partly or entirely on the new sidewalk and partly blocking passage.
This is the eastern-most pole, which only takes a small bite out of the sidewalk.
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This is the middle pole, which blocks the sidewalk for a large part of its width with
the wide channel cut out around it.
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This is the wetern-most pole, which effectively blocks at least half the width of the
sidewalk.
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The situation: While it is possible for agile pedestrians, walking single file, to
avoid the poles and the ankle-twisting hazard of the channel around the middle pole, use
of this sidewalk is very difficult for bicyclists (I'm one, avoiding the danger of
biking on Denton Tap Rd with its poor visibility and deteriorating edges makes me very
appreciative of the new sidewalk and, especially, the regulated crosswalk). However, it
is plainly impassable for anyone in a wheelchair or using a walker and dangerous for the
vision-impaired - users to whom the textured ramps at the crossing indicate it was
designed to cater. The city needs to fix the sidewalk so everyone can safely use it; I
imagine it fails to meet state or federal standards for new construction on account of
this.
Remedial action: To fix the problem will require additional sidewalk width opposite the
poles so users of the sidewalk will have full normal width of clear sidewalk to the side
of each pole. Blending the added surface into the existing sidewalk could be done with
curves or straight edges - that's a matter for architects, though they should keep the
needs of wheelchair and vision-impaired users in mind - perhaps adding some texture to
indicate an unexpected drop-off or pole to vision-impaired approaching with a cane. You
should also take advantage of this opportunity to fill in the trench around the middle
pole.
Thanks in advance for your attention and effective action on his.
Sincerely,
- Paul Weiser, 301 S Coppell Trlr 36
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