19.4.6 Curb Ramp Evaluation

Curb ramps that meet ADA standards do not need replacement. However, curb ramps that do not meet ADA standards, must undergo evaluation to determine whether and how they will need to be replaced or retrofitted.
Criteria for installing or updating curb ramps include:
  • New construction;
  • New projects that are considered an alteration;
  • New projects that alter existing sidewalks or prepared surfaces with barriers;
  • Resurfacing is an alteration that triggers the requirement to add curb ramps or bring existing curb ramps into compliance with current standards if it involves work on a street or roadway spanning from one intersection to another and includes overlays of additional material to the road surface, with or without milling. Examples include, but are not limited to the following treatments or their equivalents:
    • Addition of a new layer of asphalt; Reconstruction;
    • Concrete pavement rehabilitation and reconstruction;
    • Mill and fill or mill and overlays;
    • Micro-surfacing and thin lift overlays; or
    • Cape seals and in-place asphalt recycling.
Maintenance projects do not trigger an evaluation of existing curb ramps and the addition of new curb ramps. Examples of maintenance activities include, but are not limited to the following treatments or their equivalents:
  • Seal coats (chip seals);
  • Fog seals and slurry seals;
  • Joint repairs;
  • Diamond grinding;
  • Pavement patching; or
  • Spot repairs.