Council News Release

Council will hear report on pedestrian safety in construction zones Plan proposes work zone standards to prevent recurring problems

SEATTLE - The Seattle Department of Transportation will present a proposed draft of the Pedestrian Safety and Work Zone Standards to the City Council on Tuesday, July 21 during the Transportation Committee meeting at 9:30 a.m.

In late 2007 Councilmembers Nick Licata and Tom Rasmussen, along with Council President Richard Conlin requested the City Auditor review the street use permit process and assess whether the city was doing everything it could to minimize the impact of street and sidewalk closures on pedestrians in construction zones.

The auditor’s office identified four areas that needed to be addressed. Those areas included making pedestrian mobility a priority, coordinating multiple projects, improving inspection and enforcement and communicating with the public.

SDOT convened numerous stakeholders, including individuals from the pedestrian and ADA communities, contractors, developers and others in developing a plan that would address the key issues outlined in the audit.

“I have heard from a number of citizens that construction downtown has resulted in a crazy patchwork of sidewalk closures which discourages walking if not making it dangerous,” said Councilmember Nick Licata. “Construction, particularly in our downtown corridor, will always be ongoing and I’m pleased we’re getting closer to solutions with these proposed standards,” added Licata.

Public comment will be taken by SDOT through Sept.15, with final adoption by the director of SDOT slated for the end of September.

Archives of previous meetings, news releases and copies of legislation are available on the Council’s website at www.seattle.gov/council . Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21 and webcast live at www.seattlechannel.org/viewer_live.asp . Questions about Council news releases can be directed to Debra Carnes, Council Communications, at 206-684-8159, or by e-mail at debra.carnes@seattle.gov.

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City Council