The City of Plymouth has prepared for updates to certain sidewalk sections for 2016.
As part of the Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan, project lists are expected to be brought forward on an annual basis. The City of Plymouth’s Street Department updates the sidewalks approved by the Board of Works and constructs sidewalk ramps for wheelchair accessibility.
Plymouth Street Superintendent Jim Marquardt says the City will be working on this plan for the foreseeable future.
“I don’t know if this will ever be done when you look at the amount of walks you do and the half blocks that it addresses each way,” says Marquardt.
That ADA Transition plan was developed by the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG) in 2011. While the plan was being worked out, Plymouth used to allow Council members to select the sidewalks to receive updates.
Under MACOG’s model, the sidewalks are rated using a scale. The City’s Street Department has attempted to recommend sidewalks in need of repair as closely to the ratings as possible. Some may be exempted based on other construction projects going on within the city.
Marquardt says this year’s list of projects includes plenty of updates.
“Some of them come close to helping tie up some loose ends on others,” says Marquardt. “I know there are some on south Michigan, we’ve talked about trying to complete Michigan Street too and get that done.”
Total materials costs are estimated at about $33-thousand. That’s a bit more than the $30-thousand budget. The Street Department expects the current figure to drop once materials are actually purchased.
The Plymouth Board of Works approved the 2016 sidewalk plan unanimously.
