ADA improvements proposed to board

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By NATHAN GREGORY
citybeat@starkvilledailynews.com [2]

Starkville Transportation Commission Chairman Chris Gottbrath discussed a list of four proposed projects for the board of aldermen Tuesday to consider with the $30,000 allocated to American Disabilities Act capital improvement funds.

The project ideas include the installation of ADA ramps at the intersection of Yeates Street and Greensboro Street, a second phase of ADA improvements on University Drive, placing striping and signage in the downtown area and striping on North Montgomery Street.
The second phase of ADA improvements on University Drive would be a continuation of approximately 283 linear feet of ADA sidewalk along the north side of University Drive between Jackson Street and Old West Point Road.

Since 2010, the city has installed 34 ADA ramps in various city locations and has overseen sidewalk improvements to Gillespie Street and pedestrian improvements on Hospital Road, according to a document in the board’s e-packet. Those improvements do not include projects which have been completed using grant funding.

Estimated costs for the projects range from $9,700 to $35,200; the latter figure being the cost of the second phase of University Drive ADA improvements.

Gottbrath said the Transportation Commission and the Commission on Disability have agreed to select the four projects for the board’s consideration based on the immediate need for them.

“These recommendations are to continue and build on the progress we’ve done to improve our infrastructure over the past few years,” Gottbrath said. “I think we’re far from having the safe and inclusive walking and cycling infrastructure that we really need. There’s still a lot of work to be done. There are a lot of areas where walking isn’t safe and inaccessible to those with disabilities, so we hope the city will continue both with these recommendations and in the future to try to address these.”