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Safe Routes to School | 8 <br />Often a project like sidewalks, curb ramps, <br />and trails are viewed as “just a small project.” <br />At DLZ, we work diligently to ensure a high- <br />quality project, regardless of size, that will <br />serve your community for many years to <br />come. Our team has significant experience <br />with pedestrian centered projects that <br />have allowed us to navigate through many <br />different issues that commonly arise. When <br />designing a roadway, most projects are <br />focused on the roadway while peripheral <br />pieces and obstacles are moved to suit the <br />DLZ HAS THE EXPERIENCE YOU NEED <br />new corridor. With pedestrian projects, it’s <br />a very different approach. Sidewalks, curb <br />ramps, and trail construction must fit into <br />existing situations and avoid obstacles <br />while still meeting the required standards. <br />For example, on the Town of South Whitley <br />project there was one intersection where <br />there was very little space between the <br />roadway and house and a three-foot drop in <br />elevation. Our project engineer was able to <br />design a solution that worked for both the <br />homeowner and the town while still being <br />ADA compliant. <br />This is not just a sidewalk project. We <br />understand that there is much more involved <br />in order to truly be ADA compliant. It is <br />necessary to look at the entire intersection <br />when constructing curb ramps. In many <br />instances, we see curb ramps that end in a <br />low spot with the road surface which causes <br />water to pond, creating an undesirable <br />situation. <br />DLZ has ADA specialists on staff that truly <br />understand the ever-changing requirements <br />and standards. These specialists have often <br />developed creative solutions that are more <br />economical than traditional solutions. For <br />example, on the Mishawaka Safe Routes to <br />School project where an existing retaining <br />wall would have required the installation <br />of handrail and other costly modifications, <br />our ADA specialist worked directly with the <br />design engineer to adjust the design, creating <br />a more economically feasible solution to the <br />issue. <br />It’s this type of service that makes DLZ such <br />a great partner for the City of South Bend. <br />Curb ramps will be reviewed to make sure they <br />meet current ADA requirements <br />Creative solutions in the <br />Town of South Whitley where <br />proximity between sidewalk <br />and roadway prevented a <br />traditional curb ramp design. <br />After <br />Before <br />Safe Routes to School | 8