City council approves Curb Ramp Construction

By Bergan O’Connell

Executive Theme Editor

The Manhattan Beach City Council approved the Curb Ramp Construction Contract during the December 6, 2016 board meeting, as part of the Capital Improvement Program for the 2016-2017 year, which began on July 1, 2016.

The City Council implemented the CIP as a five year improvement plan in order to complete over 90 projects throughout the city. Building accessible curb ramps in Manhattan Beach is part of the CIP plan and expected to begin in early January.

“I think the new curb ramps will certainly improve mobility throughout the city, especially during busy pedestrian hours,” Manhattan Beach Public Works Director Tim Birthisel said.

Photos: City drafts plans to install multiple curb ramps.

The city chose Kalban Inc., the lowest bidder, to complete the project. The curb ramp replacement project will remove existing curb barriers, in order to provide accessibility to handicapped pedestrians. The ramps provide a cement curb from the asphalt onto the sidewalk.

“These curb ramps are a benefit to the community,” Birthisel said. “It improves pedestrian mobility especially for the disabled individuals by removing existing curb barriers. They are certainly a good idea.”

Link: Curb ramp installation

Ramps will be installed throughout Manhattan Beach at 30 intersections near schools, and other high pedestrian traffic locations. These locations were chosen due to their high levels of pedestrian usage, Birthisel said.

“Locations near schools and other high pedestrian traffic areas were selected for replacement in order to make mobility easier for residents,” Birthisel said.

Manhattan and southern Hermosa residents, on bordering streets, will be affected the most by the new ramps because they are near the busy intersections.

Link: learn more about curb ramps

“I think the locations that were chosen for the curb ramps are perfect,” Manhattan Beach resident Connor Duncan said. “I know there is a school rush every morning and afternoon while parents drop off their kids and I think these ramps will help the madness by speeding up pedestrian traffic. I think these ramps can only benefit the community and pedestrians.”