Thank you Liz for addressing my concern.

I walk down the west side of 5th Ave NE and cross the intersection at Banner WY NE on a regular bases to take my children to Green Lake. The high sidewalk curbs at both sides of the intersection on 5th Ave NE, as well as on the triangular street divider, make it incredibly difficult to push a stroller and they are certainly not accessible for wheelchairs. This is a very busy crosswalk that is heavily used by the residents of Maple Leaf who choose to go to Green Lake for recreation.

So yes, to answer your question more specifically, I am concerned with high curbing on the north side of Banner WY NE, west of 5th but I am also concerned with the high curbing on the triangular street divider as well as with the high curbing on the south side of Banner WY NE, west of 5th.

I hope that this helps!
Andrea

Andrea, thank you for providing greater detail. I have forwarded your email to the pedestrian folks at SDOT Traffic (walkandbike@seattle.gov) so they can these locations to their needs list for new ramps and I'll keep them on my list for adding to any sidewalk repairs. Cheers,
Liz Ellis
SDOT Sidewalk Safety Repair Program Coordinator
206-233-2768
Liz.Ellis@Seattle.Gov

Dear Andrea,

Thank you for submitting your request for curb ramps at the intersection of 5th Avenue NE and Banner Way NE. SDOT shares your desire to make sidewalks accessible to everyone. The demand for curb ramps in Seattle greatly exceeds current funding available to construct them. Therefore, priority is given to requests from individuals in wheelchairs or who are otherwise disabled.

Unfortunately, sometimes our designers run across locations where installation of curb ramps becomes such a large body of work that it has to be deferred to a Capital Improvement Project instead of using one of our spot improvement programs like SDOT's annual curb ramp program. Retrofitting existing sidewalks to include properly designed ramps can include relocating utility poles, underground utility vaults, or rebuilding entire blocks of sidewalk because of steep grades that make it difficult to achieve level landings. The amount of available city right-of-way can also be an issue as our designers evaluate how ramp design standards can best fit into the available space. One of the particular site challenges at 5th Ave NE and NE Banner Way is that this intersection is on a bridge structure.

The ramps you requested have been included in SDOT's Capital Improvement project list and are waiting funding.

One additional funding opportunity that may be of interest to you is our Neighborhood Street Fund program. This program allows Seattle residents to submit their ideas and top priorities for transportation improvements. Projects are prioritized and selected by your District Council. You can find additional information and an application at the following website:

http://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/btgnsfcrf/

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly.

sealth2c.jpg

Brian Dougherty

Seattle Department of Transportation

Traffic Management Division

700 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3700

PO Box 34996

Seattle, WA 98124-4996

206-684-5124

brian.dougherty@seattle.gov

So excited to see the new ramps!