Mayor proposes millions to fix backlog of required sidewalk repairs

Mayor Gray’s proposed 2015 budget and six-year capital improvement plan call for significant funding for sidewalk repairs over the next three years, a welcome proposition for pedestrians. The mayor has allotted nearly $5.5 million to repair and maintain curbs and sidewalks in fiscal year 2015. In addition, the capital budget proposes spending $7.5 million, $13.3 million and $7.2 million respectively in 2015, 2016 and 2017 for curb and sidewalk rehab, according to John McGaw, director of the capital improvements program.

 “We would like to recognize the mayor for making progress toward addressing the backlog in sidewalk investment needs,” PAC chairman Jason Broehm said. PAC has been pushing for months for the city to address the estimated $22-28 million backlog in unmet sidewalk repairs. In the weeks ahead, PAC members will engage in conversations with DC council members about the importance of this funding.

The 2015 budget also calls for an increase in spending on the Automated Traffic Enforcement program, which includes cameras that catch motorists speeding, running red lights and failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Budget documents released April 3 proposed a budget increase of $4.1 million in 2015 for automated traffic enforcement.  The PAC strongly supports this programs because of the demonstrated safety benefits.

The DC Council Committee on Transportation and the Environment will hold its District Department of Transportation budget hearing on Tuesday, April 29 at 11 a.m. in the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Room 500. Anyone wishing to testify at the hearing about the importance of safe sidewalks and curbs should sign up to do so by contacting Aukima Benjamin at abenjamin@dccouncil.us or by calling 202-724-8062.

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Crash data and sidewalk repairs examined at oversight hearing

The D.C. Council Committee on Transportation and the Environment held its oversight hearing on the Pedestrian Advisory Council (PAC), Bicycle Advisory Council and District Department of Transportation on March 21.

In her testimony, PAC Vice Chair Marlene Berlin highlighted some of PAC’s activities in 2013, including pressing for continued photo enforcement and participating in the development of the Strategic Highway Safety Plan. Looking ahead, Berlin called for completion of the $20-28 million backlog of sidewalk repairs and asked for easier access to recent crash data. (Read Berlin’s testimony or watch a video of the hearing. Berlin’s testimony can be heard about 1 hour and 12 minutes into the video.)

Also testifying at the hearing was Sonia Conly, a representative of Capitol Hill Village, an organization that promotes opportunities for residents to stay in their communities for life. Conly explained to the council members attending the hearing, Mary Cheh and David Grosso, that only one of 40 sections of broken sidewalk in the Capitol Hill neighborhood that were reported to DDOT last summer had been repaired. “Safe sidewalks are key to being out and about, connecting with neighbors, community services and utilizing public transportation,” Conly testified. (Read Conly’s testimony and view photos she brought to the hearing.)

At the hearing, rescheduled twice because of snow days, Cheh and Grosso expressed concern for pedestrian safety and access. “Pedestrian safety should be a performance metric for DDOT,” Grosso said. (Read Grosso’s synopsis of the hearing.)

If you would like to share your concerns about pedestrian safety in the District, please attend the next PAC meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 19, at 441 4^th St. NW, Room 1117. 

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Pedestrian Advisory Council Calls for Citywide Sidewalk Fixes

Have you ever tripped on a broken city sidewalk? The District has a $22-28 million backlog of sidewalk maintenance, and the D.C. Pedestrian Advisory Council (PAC) is calling for the city to prioritize that work in its 2015 budget.  The PAC passed a resolution in January recommending that the mayor include an additional $28 million in the 2015 capital budget to address this backlog.

The resolution also recommends that the city assess the state of the sidewalks every two years, as often as it currently assesses roadways. The city’s last major sidewalk assessment was conducted in 2006.

Representatives from the PAC, Falls Free Coalition, DC Age Friendly Cities Initiative, and Capitol Hill Village met with Capital Improvements Program Director John McGaw, the Mayor’s Office of Budget and Finance Director Eric Goulet, and other budget staff on February 4 to discuss the PAC’s recommendation. 

D.C. residents who would like to join the PAC and other organizations in advocating for safe, well-maintained sidewalks can do so by testifying at the D.C. Council oversight hearing for the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) on March 17 at 2:30 p.m. in room 412 of the Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW). To sign up to testify or provide written testimony, please contact Aukima Benjamin at abenjamin@dccouncil.us or 202-724-8062.. 

It is important to present testimony either in person or in writing about DDOT’s response in making needed sidewalk repairs and how the poor condition of sidewalks adversely affects pedestrians of all ages. Stories of individuals who have experienced falls, fear of walking, and efforts to get sidewalks fixed illustrate how the lack of a well-maintained sidewalk network impacts:

• Access to transit,
• Access to schools, recreational facilities and wellness centers,
• Health and mobility of seniors,
• Health and mobility of pedestrians of all ages.

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