66.0909 Curb ramping.

(1) The standard for construction of curbs and sidewalks on each side of a city or village street, or a connecting highway or town road for which curbs and sidewalks have been prescribed by the governing body of the town, city or village having jurisdiction, shall include curb ramping providing access to crosswalks at intersections and other designated locations. Curb ramping includes the curb opening, the ramp and that part of the sidewalk or apron leading to and adjacent to the curb opening. Any person constructing new curbs or sidewalks or replacing curbs or sidewalks within 5 feet of a legal crosswalk in any city street, village street, connecting highway or town road shall comply with the standards for curb ramping under this section.

(3) Curb ramps shall conform to the following requirements:

(a) Curb ramping shall be of permanent construction. The ramp shall be at least 40 inches wide. The sides of the ramp shall slope from the sidewalk or apron elevations to the ramp elevation with the widest portion of the side slope not less than 18 inches nor more than 24 inches wide at the curb. The ramp slope may not exceed one inch vertical to 12 inches horizontal from the flow line elevation of the curb. The curb opening shall be not less than 40 inches nor more than 80 inches wide at the flow line of the curb. The taper of the curb from the top of the curb to the flow line of the curb at the curb opening shall be not less than 18 inches nor more than 24 inches wide. The ramp shall be bordered on both sides and on the curb line with a 4-inch-wide yellow stripe or with brick of a contrasting color.

(b) Curb ramping shall be in one of the following locations, to provide access to each end of each crosswalk affected:

1. At the center of the curve of the street corner to accommodate crossing for either direction at the intersection. The entire curb corner may not be made into a ramp, but shall provide for standard sidewalk apron and curb on both sides of a ramp. Any safety zone marking required by ordinance shall be provided in the street or town road 40 inches out and parallel with the curb, joining with the standard safety pedestrian crossing markings in the street or town road;

2. If subd. 1. is not feasible, centered on line with the crosswalk and pedestrian traffic and containing surface texturing to indicate clearly to the sense of touch that the surface differs from that of the sidewalk or street. The surface texturing shall consist of linear impressions one-fourth of an inch to three-eighths of an inch deep, oriented to provide a uniform pattern of diamond shapes. The diamond shapes shall measure approximately 1 1/4 inches wide by 2 1/4 inches long, with the length of the diamond shape parallel to the direction of pedestrian movement. The diamond shapes shall be spaced one-fourth of an inch to three-eighths of an inch apart. This surface texture may be achieved by impressing and removing expanded metal regular industrial mesh into the surface of the ramp while the concrete is in a plastic state; or

3. If both subds. 1. and 2. are not feasible, at a suitable location as near to the crosswalk as practicable. Any safety zone markings required by ordinance shall be provided in the street or town road 40 inches out and parallel with the curb, joining with the standard safety pedestrian crossing markings in the street or town road.

(5) The district attorney, on his or her own motion or upon the complaint of any person, may bring an action in circuit court to enforce this section.

(6) If any person constructs a new or replacement sidewalk or curb, other than the town, city or village with jurisdiction over the curbs or sidewalks, the town, city or village shall inform the person of the requirements of this section. The town, city or village may agree to construct, or bear the cost of constructing, curb ramping required to provide access to sidewalks opposite the new or replacement curb or sidewalk.

History: 1971 c. 283; 1973 c. 98, 243; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (3); 1979 c. 272; 1991 a. 32; 1999 a. 150 s. 543; Stats. 1999 s. 66.0909.