Did you know that 11,000 blocks in Seattle lack sidewalks? That’s 24% of our city streets. Or that most of our existing sidewalks are inaccessible?
The Seattle City Council may take action to address this glaring barrier to pedestrian access. The Council is considering legislation that would prioritize sidewalk infrastructure in future roadwork. Commute Seattle helped develop this legislation as part of a coalition led by the Disability Rights Washington and Councilmember Tammy Morales.
Council Bill 120658 would:
- Require installation of a sidewalk any time the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) conducts a major paving project or reconstruction of a street without existing sidewalks
- Require SDOT to evaluate and repair sidewalks as part of any major paving project where sidewalks already exist
- Direct SDOT to prioritize sidewalk installation and repair in other roadwork projects where sidewalks are missing, as well as near schools, parks, transit stops, high-density land uses, and in areas at high risk of displacement.
Make your voice heard!
The City Council’s Transportation & Seattle Public Utilities Committee will vote on this legislation on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 9:30am. We encourage you to join us at City Hall (600 4th Ave. Floor 2) or virtually to testify in support!
Learn more about the legislation and how to testify below, or email noaha@commuteseattle.com with any questions.