In an effort to improve accommodation for people walking, scooting, or bicycling through construction zones and during special events, the City’s Department of Public Works is updating the work zone and event detour policy.
The updated policy will apply to entities performing construction work or hosting events in the public right-of-way. The goal is to prevent detours as much as possible and maintain accessibility and connectivity for people walking or biking.
“Detours that are difficult or unclear to users can result in frustration and people walking in the street or rolling in travel lanes where they are not expected,” said Casandra Cortez, transportation planner with the department. “It’s necessary to consider the work zone needs of these vulnerable roadway users as early as possible in the project development and design process.”
The guidance will specify when and where people walking, scooting, and biking may be relocated, detoured, modified, and closed in city limits. It will apply to all sidewalks and streets on which people bicycling are legally allowed to travel, including designated bikeways.
Recommendations will be informed by the California standards outlined in the California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) Part 6 Temporary Traffic Control.
A draft of the policy is currently live for review. Comments can be submitted on the City’s website.
City staff will host a webinar on Jan. 24 for residents to learn more and provide input on the draft. Those interested in attending can sign up for email notifications here.