The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has released a series of updated design guidelines for infrastructure construction projects. The new standards will apply to new construction projects, as well as infrastructure that is reconstructed or replaced. The updates include current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance requirements for driveways, curbs, ramps, wider sidewalks, bike paths, and permeable pavement.
The guidelines will be used by County agencies when developing and approving future plans, and by developers and utility companies when designing plans, to ensure that all new roadway and right-of-way construction meets federal, state, and local regulations and accessibility guidelines.
“We are fully committed to meeting accessibility standards and ensuring our partners have a clear, predictable path to compliance,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “The new guidelines will help remove the guesswork from creating accessible spaces. By ensuring everyone knows the regulations up front, we can work together to foster true community inclusion and make a future Montgomery County that is accessible to all.”
The guidelines incorporate standards from the Montgomery County Complete Streets Design Guidelines, the U.S. Access Board Public Right of Way Accessibility Guidelines, and the Montgomery County Accessible Design Guide. They offer a comprehensive overview of roadway design and construction regulations.
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“These guidelines needed to be updated to reflect current ADA regulations,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “The guidelines include regulations for sidewalk and path widths and slopes on sidewalks and driveway ramps to make navigating our public spaces easier for people who use mobility aides. We worked closely with community and industry partners to ensure these guidelines meet the highest standards. These regulations will apply to future plans and to infrastructure when it is replaced or rebuilt. They will lead to long-term improvements over time.”
MCDOT worked with the County Department of Permitting Services, County Road Code Committee, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Planning, representatives from the Maryland Builders Industry Association, and the National Association of Industrial and Office Parks to update the guidelines.
MCDOT plans to release revised guidelines for roadway construction in the coming months. Included in those updates will be regulation guidelines for County roads and streets, Flash Bus Rapid Transit development, drainage, and landscaping.
For information on MCDOT programs and services, follow @MCDOTNow on X, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.
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Read the original article at mcdot