New D.C. Building Rules Limit Sidewalk Closures

PEDESTRIANS IN many of the District's growing neighborhoods are used to keeping their eyes peeled for changes in their regular routes, since it's common to encounter a sidewalk closing near a major construction site. But new rules developed by the D.C. Department of Transportation and the D.C. Building Industry Association will make shuttered sidewalks a rarity.

According to a DDOT announcement, developers will be required to maintain either covered walkways or protected open walkways during construction. The only exceptions to the new rules will be large building demolitions, where public safety on the sidewalks would be compromised.

» "DDOT Announces Implementation of Work Zone Standards for Pedestrian Safety" [DDOT]
» "Pedestrian Safety and Work Zone Standards" [DDOT]

Photo by Michael Grass/Express