ADA Retrofits at Various Locations in District One
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) District 1 office identified hundreds of state-owned sidewalk wheelchair ramps in need of upgrades in order to meet current Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB) requirements.
Benesch worked closely with MassDOT’s District 1 office, collaborating with the District 1 Design Engineer and District 1 Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator to develop a district-wide ramp index that catalogs every curb ramp to be upgraded to current standards.
As part of this effort, Benesch performed field evaluations of all ramps to determine eligibility for reconstruction, prepared ADA and MAAB compliant wheelchair ramp designs, facilitated reviews and feedback from various MassDOT Departments and local municipalities as needed, estimated construction cost for all ramps and reviewed shop drawings as part of the Construction Phase Services. Benesch has also developed Variance Packages to obtain approval from MAAB for curb ramps that require minor waivers from regulations due to existing site constraints.
Designs have included elements such as:
- Implementing MassDOT construction standards in a variety of retrofit locations and geometries
- Implementing traffic calming measures, geometric safety improvements including truck turning analysis
- Traffic signal and pedestrian signal modifications and installation of new signal equipment
- Variance approvals from MAAB, existing utility modifications such as drainage analysis and upgrades
- Utility pole relocations and casting adjustments
- Developing State Right-of-Way plans for temporary and permanent impacts
