Willow Glen Resident

News

Street upgrades will include 27 miles of resurfacing, ramps

By Mayra Flores De Marcotte

San Jose plans to add 313 curb ramps, curbs, gutters and sidewalks as part of street resurfacing projects throughout the community this year intended to make the city more wheelchair-accessible.

The first phase of improvements is scheduled to start this month with the resurfacing of 27 miles of streets. City officials project this portion of the project to be completed by June.

"The goal is to eventually make sure the whole city has ADA wheelchair access," said Eric Newton, San Jose senior construction inspector.

The process will involve the removal and replacement of asphalt concrete pavement at public right-of-way intersections in low- to moderate-income areas throughout the city, including areas of Districts 1, 3, 6, 9 and 10.

To date, 60 percent of corners that need ramps in San Jose have them, Newton said. At the current funding level, it would take more than 20 years to install ramps at every corner.

According to a city council memo, these additional ramps also support the city's Transportation and Aviation Services City Service Area goals to provide a transportation system that enhances community livability.

In 2008, the city plans on installing 800 ramps throughout the city. Of those, about 10 percent will be located in District 6, Newton said.

In 2005-06, the city added 450 new American Disability Act curb ramps, closed seven sidewalk gaps and added 4,600 new countdown pedestrian signal lights, a portion of which were also in Willow Glen, as well as 20 audible pedestrian signals and 75 new bike racks.

The accomplishments are great, considering there was only one full-time employee and one part-time employee working on the projects, said San Jose Bicyclist and Pedestrian Program coordinator John Brazil.

These and previous accomplishments have led San Jose to earn the national Walkable City award two years in a row.