Build Handicap Ramp

PennDOT building handicap ramps at intersection with no sidewalks

Video: Check out the construction site

These ramps, to be used for the disabled, are also called "refuge areas" where pedestrians can wait before crossing the road.

The concrete pads of about 25 feet are laid into the existing asphalt and are being built at crosswalks.

Except there are no sidewalks here — only asphalt roadway and fast-moving traffic.

Also missing: pedestrians.

A construction worker building the pads said he hadn't seen a single pedestrian at the intersection in a week.

And why would there be?

There's nowhere to walk to. Most of the area is residential and farmland. No playgrounds, libraries or sweet shops.

So why is PennDOT building these ramps at 39 intersections in Monroe County at a cost of about $10,500 per intersection, or $2,600 per pad?

The ramp construction is part of PennDOT's multiyear, multimillion-dollar program to rebuild curb ramps to meet the design standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The pads provide a level area so someone in a wheelchair has a place to safely wait before crossing the road.

Ramps are required in all intersections with push buttons that trigger traffic signals to allow pedestrians to cross.

But at this intersection of Route 209 and Burger Hollow Road, there are no pedestrians — disabled or otherwise.

Don't blame PennDOT, though.

Pennsylvania simply adopted the federal regulations that require these ramps, according to PennDOT's Michael Keiser, assistant District 5 executive for design.

"The law says you have to give everyone access to the buttons," Keiser said.

Beefy shoulders surround the Route 209/Burger Hollow Road intersection. But those generous walking lanes taper to narrow paths not much wider than a couple of cocker spaniels.

With traffic whizzing by at 50 mph, it's hard to imagine much foot traffic, let alone a disabled person, navigating the asphalt lead-up to the "refuge areas."

Once there, where would they go?

"It's not going anywhere," Michael Parry of Kunkletown said of the ramps, while waiting in his car at a traffic light at the intersection. "There's nothing to walk to.

Wheelchair Ramps and Society

People throughout our society are depending upon wheelchairs and electric scooters to get around more than ever before. Most likely this comes from the fact that people are living longer. Another reason is that people with debilitating diseases are living longer thanks to medical miracles. All of these reasons have made it necessary for society to adjust building access for wheelchairs and motorized handicap vehicles. The American with Disabilities Act governs that public, commercial, state and local government facilities must accommodate for the use of wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

Think about the last time you traveled with young stroller bound children. Do you remember how difficult it was to maneuver? Think about going through life facing these challenges when trying to get in and out of facilities. What about your own home. Wheelchair ramps are what make access available to homes and public facilities.

Laws protecting the disabled are set in place to ensure equality. There are many things besides the law that need to be also taken into consideration when building or attaching a ramp for handicap use. When looking into a home wheelchair verse public access the things to consider are purpose, dimensions and style.

Purpose - It is pretty straight forward that the purpose of a handicap ramp at your home is to ease mobility in and out. Handicap ramps are used for many different purposes. Walkers, wheelchairs, electric scooters and disabilities are the number one reasons people look to install a handicap ramps. It is important to note that any building that has stairs as a main access should also have an assisted access.

Dimensions - The dimensions that are used to build ramps vary. Although standards exist and the guidelines of the ADA should be followed the size of the ramp should take into consideration the people who will be using it and the mode by which they might be entering and exiting. It is suggested that for every foot of ramp one inch of incline for entering buildings and for homes that every foot of ramp two inches of incline. You want to make the access as easy as possible. Think about climbing Mount Everest each and every time you leave a building. This is not ideal for anyone using a wheel chair or motorized device.

Style - There are many different styles of handicapped ramps to look at. Determine if you need something permanent or temporary. For instance are you taking in an elderly parent, this case might call for a temporary ramp. Metal ramps can often be rented or grants provided to purchase them. Wood ramps are often meant for more permanent situations such as elderly parents aging in place. Also, make sure you look into your community guidelines.

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