In the final week of 2016, the Bureau of Engineering launched Safe Sidewalks LA, the largest sidewalk repair program nationwide. The program is the City’s $1.4 billion commitment over the next 30 years to make sidewalks in our city accessible to everyone. To comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City established three programs for people who want to request a repair.
- The Access Request Program makes repairs requested by and for people with mobility disabilities who encounter physical barriers such as broken sidewalks, missing and broken curb ramps or other barriers in the public right of way. These repairs are a priority.
- For a limited time, the City is also offering a voluntary Rebate Program for property owners who are willing to share the cost of the repairs. Owners can receive up to $10,000 for residential and commercial properties. The goal is to provide an incentive for people who can pay a portion of the cost and would like to see their sidewalks repaired sooner.
- If they do not fall within the other two categories, property owners can submit a request through the Report a Sidewalk Repair program and place their sidewalk on a list for future repairs as funding becomes available.
Los Angeles has approximately 11,000 miles of sidewalks stretched over 472 square miles. To maximize staff time and to standardize the program, Engineering created an electronic intake system. The system leverages the City’s existing 311 system, the non-emergency number that helps residents access services in 150 languages and includes capability for those with hearing or speaking impairment. Applicants can submit requests through the 311 website, 311 mobile app, by calling live operators at 311 and through the Safe Sidewalks LA website (www.sidewalks.lacity.org).
Simply finding every sidewalk presented a major challenge, because Los Angeles had not mapped all its sidewalks. Engineering is using a combination of GIS software, aerial imagery and a geographic dataset of property lines to digitize sidewalk features, including sidewalks, curbs, parkways and driveways. The property lines are overlaid on the aerial imagery, allowing the City to trace and construct sidewalk feature boundaries.
Community interest in Safe Sidewalks LA is understandably high. In response, Engineering established the Safe Sidewalk LA Community Advisory Committee, which meets on a regular basis to discuss issues of importance to the community.
Making our sidewalks accessible to everyone is helping make Los Angeles the most livable city in the world.