We had hoped and expected that when the construction shifted to the east side things would improve. So far, everything is pretty much as it was when construction was taking place on the west side.Nothing related to pedestrian and bicyclist access and safety is anywhere near close to what is required in MUTCD Chapter 6 and the ADA. Frankly we've just been lucky nobody has been killed or hurt!
Spot surveys at various times of day and week since the transition from the west side to the east side reveal pedestrians and bicyclists continue to struggle to cross West Ave; especially people with disabilities, the elderly and children.
The contractor responsible for pedestrian and bicyclist access has failed miserably. Sidewalks and crosswalks are ripped up on both sides of the intersections needlessly. Only one side needs to be ripped up at a time, but for whatever reason this contractor has virtually ignored the sidewalks and crosswalks completely.
This afternoon we observed dump trucks in the only "open" crosswalk at West Ave & Main St being filled by a front end loader, with no signs, barricades or flag personnel. Pedestrians crossing West Ave walked on BOTH sides of the dump truck - either in the traffic lane or between the dump truck and the front end loader!
The contractor responsible for signing and marking the sidewalks and crosswalks has also failed miserably. There are either no signs or markings or inadequate signs or markings, with no advance signs or marks indicating detours anywhere. The sidewalks and crosswalks on BOTH sides of West Ave that are closed must be signed and marked according to the MUTCD; and the sidewalks and crosswalks that are open must be unobstructed and clearly delineated from traffic lanes and construction.
The attempt to "close" the crosswalk on the NE corner of West Ave & Main St is one pathetic example (See attached). Is this crosswalk "open" or "closed"?
The contractors are being paid to meet the standards of the MUTCD and ADA. They MUST comply with the MUTCD and the ADA immediately!
