From: david stainbrook To: chroniclewatch@sfchronicle.com Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2005 Subject: Mobility Device Hazard
Dear Editor,
Having given up on the California Department of Transportation after numerous promises to correct a hazard that has existed here in Corte Madera for numerous years, I will see what you folks can do. I obviously have not been able to get across the hazard that this matter presents to anyone that requires the use of a mobility device to get from point A to point B.
There exists in the Town of Corte Madera a Highway overpass that connects the two sides of Corte Madera together. This overpass bridges Highway 101 at the Tamaplais Off ramp. This is an overpass that was constructed in 1957 by the Department of Transportation and designed to accommodate the traffic that was present in those days.
In the following years the Department of Transportation constructed a bus shelter upon the Eastern portion of the overpass to accommodate those wishing to depart and use the walkways and paths to the regional shopping center known as the Village. The engineer that designed the off ramps to accommodate the users of mobility devices obviously had never seen a picture of one of these devices (wheelchair) or had taken the time to look up the ADA guidelines for construction of the same.
At the present time what happens, is that those using a mobility device for the first time to this location, exit the Golden Gate Transit Bus and with no warning from the driver, find themselves marooned upon the island with no way to exit except to wait for a further bus, enter, go to the west side of the highway and then try to take their wheel chair over the overpass using one of the hazardous pathways, another story in itself.
As presently constructed the off ramps will flip a mobility device upside down if someone attempts to use the ramp. Over the past four or five years numerous attempts have been made to encourage the California Department of Transportation to remedy this dangerous situation.
I have contacted the Director of The California Department of Transportation (Will Kemptom 1-916-654-2852) and all levels below. Met on site and had numerous assurances that the problem would be corrected. Well after four years it still presents the same hazardous situation and see myself spinning my wheels.
Presently this overpass has been included in a complaint to the United States Department of Justice as not meeting ADA requirements and standards. I was not a party to this complaint, but as the Department of Transportation receives federal funding for our highway's, the State is required to keep and maintain access to an ADA standard. The wheels of government grind slow, and during this process we have a situation that presents a hazard to those that are least able to protect themselves.
I will attach a couple of pictures of the off ramp at this site and you will see for yourselves that it is more suitable to use as a skate board ramp than a mobility device ramp.
At the present time the Town of Corte Madera has been notified by The United States Department of Transportation in response to a complaint to the United States Department of Justice that they have been found in violation of ADA regulations in that the lack of accessible sidewalks in Corte Madera is a violation of the ADA. The Town has been given 45 days to come up with a plan to bring itself into complaisance. (clock counting from July 6 2005)
I thank you now for any help that you may provide in this matter.
Sincerly
David Stainbrook Corte Madera, California davidstainbrook@yahoo.com __________________________________________________
2 Comments:
From: david stainbrook
To: chroniclewatch@sfchronicle.com
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Subject: Mobility Device Hazard
Dear Editor,
Having given up on the California Department of Transportation after numerous promises to correct a hazard that has existed here in Corte Madera for numerous years, I will see what you folks can do. I obviously have not been able to get across the hazard that this matter presents to anyone that requires the use of a mobility device to get from point A to point B.
There exists in the Town of Corte Madera a Highway overpass that connects the two sides of Corte Madera together. This overpass bridges Highway 101 at the Tamaplais Off ramp. This is an overpass that was constructed in 1957 by the Department of Transportation and designed to accommodate the traffic that was present in those days.
In the following years the Department of Transportation constructed a bus shelter upon the Eastern portion of the overpass to accommodate those wishing to depart and use the walkways and paths to the regional shopping center known as the Village. The engineer that designed the off ramps to accommodate the users of mobility devices obviously had never seen a picture of one of these devices (wheelchair) or had taken the time to look up the ADA guidelines for construction of the same.
At the present time what happens, is that those using a mobility device for the first time to this location, exit the Golden Gate Transit Bus and with no warning from the driver, find themselves marooned upon the island with no way to exit except to wait for a further bus, enter, go to the west side of the highway and then try to take their wheel chair over the overpass using one of the hazardous pathways, another story in itself.
As presently constructed the off ramps will flip a mobility device upside down if someone attempts to use the ramp. Over the past four or five years numerous attempts have been made to encourage the California Department of Transportation to remedy this dangerous situation.
I have contacted the Director of The California Department of Transportation
(Will Kemptom 1-916-654-2852) and all levels below. Met on site and had numerous assurances that the problem would be corrected. Well after four years it still presents the same hazardous situation and see myself spinning my wheels.
Presently this overpass has been included in a complaint to the United States Department of Justice as not meeting ADA requirements and standards. I was not a party to this complaint, but as the Department of Transportation receives federal funding for our highway's, the State is required to keep and maintain access to an ADA standard. The wheels of government grind slow, and during this process we have a situation that presents a hazard to those that are least able to protect themselves.
I will attach a couple of pictures of the off ramp at this site and you will see for yourselves that it is more suitable to use as a skate board ramp than a mobility device ramp.
At the present time the Town of Corte Madera has been notified by The United States Department of Transportation in response to a complaint to the United States Department of Justice that they have been found in violation of ADA regulations in that the lack of accessible sidewalks in Corte Madera is a violation of the ADA. The Town has been given 45 days to come up with a plan to bring itself into complaisance. (clock counting from July 6 2005)
I thank you now for any help that you may provide in this matter.
Sincerly
David Stainbrook
Corte Madera, California
davidstainbrook@yahoo.com
__________________________________________________
I was informed at the Santa Clara Abilities Expo that the walk of shame in Corte Madera has been rebuilt! I hope it is now accessible!
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