Sidewalk & Intersection Accessibility

Accessible sidewalks and intersections help ensure that people of all abilities can safely travel throughout the community. Curb ramps provide an accessible connection between sidewalks and streets for people who use wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility devices, while also improving access for families with strollers and others who may have difficulty navigating curbs.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) establishes accessibility requirements for state and local governments, including requirements related to pedestrian routes, sidewalks and curb ramps. The City works to improve accessibility as streets, sidewalks and intersections are constructed, altered or improved.

ADA Requirements for Streets & Sidewalks

Under the ADA, newly constructed or altered streets, roads and pedestrian walkways must provide accessible curb ramps or other sloped areas where pedestrian routes cross curbs. Accessibility improvements may also be incorporated into street and sidewalk projects when existing facilities are altered.

ADA accessibility standards address features such as curb ramp slopes, landings, transitions between sidewalks and streets, and accessible routes. Specific requirements vary depending on the location and type of improvement.

Learn more: ADA Requirements for State and Local Governments

Los Banos ADA Compliance Plan

In fall 2004, the City conducted a survey of street intersections throughout Los Banos to identify street corners without accessible curb ramps. A focused effort was developed to bring corners into compliance, beginning with sidewalk and/or curb and gutter improvements adjacent to other repairs being made.

The 2004 survey identified:

418 total corners without ADA accessibility
50 corners without sidewalks leading up to the corner
368 corners with sidewalks leading up to the corner
$800 average cost per corner at the time of the plan
3 days with 3 personnel average time allotted per corner at the time of the plan

20-Year Compliance Plan

The City’s 20-year compliance plan established a framework for improving accessibility at intersections where pedestrian traffic is designated. The plan also anticipated that some corners would be improved as development occurred, reducing the overall time needed to complete accessibility improvements.

The original plan called for:

20 corners installed or improved per year
$16,000 per year to improve 20 corners
12 weeks per year to complete 20 corners

NOTE: Work on the City’s 20-year compliance plan began January 1, 2005, with a projected completion date of December 31, 2024. The figures above reflect the City’s original compliance plan and historical estimates.

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