Borough of Mount Oliver, PA Article VII Curb Cut Ramps for Physically Handicapped

[Adopted 2-19-1990 as Ord. No. 746; amended in its entirety 3-20-1995 by Ord. No. 798]

§ 215-25 Ramps required; specifications.

All curb and sidewalk areas in the Borough of Mount Oliver being constructed or reconstructed shall provide curb cut ramps for the physically handicapped except as noted below under Subsection J.

A. The curb cut ramps should be as close to the intersection as possible to keep the widths of crosswalks to a minimum.

B. The ramps at intersections with wide sidewalk areas should be constructed with gentle slopes and adequate turning space as illustrated in Figure 2.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Figure 2 is on file in the Borough offices and may be examined there during regular office hours.

C. The ramps at intersections with less than eleven-foot-wide sidewalks shall be constructed as illustrated in Figure 4[2] by depressing the curbs and sidewalks to the height necessary to achieve the necessary ramp slopes and provide safe pedestrian and wheelchair movement.

[2] Editor's Note: Figure 4 is on file in the Borough offices and may be examined there during regular office hours.

D. At existing or proposed midblock crosswalks where curbs are constructed or reconstructed, curb cut ramps should be provided in the immediate vicinity of hospitals, medical centers, stadiums, etc.

E. Existing driveway ramps near street intersections should be considered for use as wheelchair ramps where curbs are being constructed or reconstructed.

F. Local conditions must be carefully evaluated along any proposed improvement project to determine the type and extent of adjacent development that would entail significant land use by physically handicapped persons. Curb cut ramps should be provided at all required corners of intersections within this area of influence and use by the handicapped.

G. All ramps should be tied into existing sidewalk and curb conditions. In this regard, Borough Standard MO-I should apply.

H. Plans should be submitted to the Borough for approval by Borough Council and the Borough Engineer.

I. Twenty-four-hour notification must be given to the Borough prior to construction to schedule inspection of work being performed under this Article.

J. At situations where a curb cut ramp cannot physically be built to acceptable safe standards outlined in this Article, it should not be constructed. A few examples of such situations are very narrow and/or very steep sidewalks and unavoidable trees or other obstructions.