Oakland Hoping to Provide Safer Pedestrian Infrastructure at Construction Sites

Liz Brisson recently examined the state of pedestrian accommodations around construction sites in the city. The subject is especially pertinent as the city continues a period of booming construction and investment, and in light of a guidance issued by OakDOT earlier this year [pdf] "to require designing for pedestrian convenience (as well for bicyclists and bus facilities) when buildings are under construction."

"When a construction sponsor files for an 'Obstruction Permit' to block sidewalk or street space, they must submit a 'Temporary Traffic Control Plan' (TTCP) that OakDOT staff review for compliance with the guidance before the permit is issued," explains the post of the administrative process involved in the new guidance.

That guidance also sets several standards: "'Pedestrian Detours' are not acceptable in Downtown Oakland, along major transit corridors, or along neighborhood commercial streets," and in other cases "Pedestrian Diversions" must be provided.

After explaining the intended purpose and process laid out by the new guidance, the post takes a short tour of several construction sites to examine how the new guidance is working so far. In several cases, construction sites were not yet complying with the guidance.