ST9902-CS120514 (2)
Halie Hernandez
From:Paul Weiser <boulder@verizon.net>
Sent:Monday, May 14, 2012 4:40 PM
To:Keith Marvin
Subject:Re: Fwd: Sidewalk Completion Reminder
Attachments:Part.002; Part.003; Part.004
Dear Mr. Marvin,
Just to put this in the form of a question, what you're saying is that since it's
temporary it doesn't have to comply with anything?
The history you cited is apparent from the sidewalk - specifically, that bend around
where a utility pole was expected to go, but didn't. If you could see your way clear to
add a little bit of an extension of the sidewalk - temporarily, of course - opposite the
two poles which block it, this kindness would be much appreciated.
Thank you for your attention,
- Paul Weiser
Keith Marvin wrote:
Mr. Weiser,
My name is Keith Marvin, and I am the project engineer for the Sandy Lake Road widening project. Thank you
for sending us your concerns about this sidewalk. I have reviewed your pictures, and visited the site to
personally view the situation.
We talked at length before we installed this new crosswalk and sidewalk. For many years the city has heard
requests for the installation of a crosswalk at this location. We were never able to install the crossing due to the
fact we didn't have a safe place to put pedestrians on the north side of Sandy Lake. When we purchased the land
needed for the road widening, we found that we had an opportunity to install the walk and crossing.
The crosswalk and sidewalk are both temporary in nature, and will be reconstructed with the Sandy Lake Road
widening. They are intended to provide a designated pedestrian route through the construction area. We placed
the sidewalk where we did thinking that we were leaving ample room behind the sidewalk for the installation of
these new utility poles. Unfortunately the location of the poles changed from the original design to what you
see out there today.
Sorry to stray so far off the point, but I thought you would like to know some of the history. To make a long
story short, we are aware of the situation. Upon completion of the widening of Sandy Lake Road, this sidewalk
will be continuous from Coppell Road to Denton Tap, and it will be ADA compliant. In the interim, we will try
to provide the minimum 3 foot clear walk that is required by code.
Please feel free to call me with any additional questions related to this project.
Keith
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Keith Marvin, P.E.
Project Engineer
(972) 304-3681
>>> CMO 5/10/2012 2:32 PM >>>
>>> 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.
The linked image cannot be displayed. The file may have been moved, renamed, or deleted. Verify that the link points to the correct file and location.
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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The linked image cannot be displayed. The file may have been moved, renamed, or deleted. Verify that the link points to the correct file and location.
This is the wetern-most pole, which effectively blocks at least half the width of the
sidewalk.
The linked image cannot be displayed. The file may have been moved, renamed, or deleted. Verify that the link points to the correct file and location.
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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