Provide Pedestrian and Bicyclist Accessibility in Work Zones

Wish List is an occasional series intended to help make bicycling safer and more enjoyable for everyone on Marco Island.

Marco Island’s impressive network of shared-use paths provides an excellent - and for the most part safe - way for bicyclists and pedestrians to travel the island. But there is one critical area where I wish we would improve: providing equivalent pedestrian accessibility where construction temporarily impedes or precludes use of the existing pedestrian facility.

Recently, work was being done on the shared-use path on San Marco Road, requiring the removal of two sections of the shared-use path. Everyone understands that work needs to be done, but it is puzzling why there is no consideration for pedestrians and bicyclists who use the shared-use path for transportation or recreation.

During this specific work, there was no advanced signage warning of the closure of the bike path, just sidewalk closed signs attached to the barricades on either side of the missing sections of the path.

The obvious problem is that bicyclists and pedestrians - especially those with mobility issues - are faced with the dilemma of how to safely get around the work zone.

Of course, Marco Island is not unique when it comes to temporary work zone issues. Accordingly, there are many Federal Department of Transportation regulations and guidelines regarding pedestrian safety and work zone standards.

In a letter to the Coastal Breeze News, Carey Shepherd, Civil Rights Officer for the Federal Highway Administration, Florida Division, said "Title II of the ADA requires government entities to provide equivalent pedestrian accessibility where construction temporarily impedes or precludes use of the existing pedestrian facility."

Unfortunately, the recent San Marco Road project provided no accessibility for bicyclists or pedestrians. The areas surrounding the work consisted of soft sand and dirt. I observed a person riding a scooter who encountered a problem when attempting to skirt around the construction area. Westbound bicyclists were able to dismount their bikes, walk their bikes through the soft sand and dirt, then enter the in-road bike lane. Eastbound bicyclists might be tempted to travel the wrong way on the in-road lane, which, of course, is illegal. Bicyclists have the same rights - and responsibilities - as motorists on our roadways. A mobility scooter would have absolutely no chance of getting around the temporary construction zone. E-bikes, which often weigh in excess of 60 pounds, would also be hard-pressed to negotiate their way around the work zone. 

To comply with regulations,  pedestrians must be conveniently routed and protected from traffic and construction. The area also needs to be ADA compliant.

According to the Safe Accommodations Act of 2014:  “The blockage of a sidewalk, bicycle lane or other public bicycle path shall be treated in the same manner as the closure of a lane of vehicle traffic by applying similar temporary traffic control practices as would be applied to the closure of a lane of motor vehicle traffic… equal to the safety of the route provided to pedestrians and bicyclists before the blockage of the sidewalk, bicycle lane, or other public bicycle path...maintained free of obstructions and surface hazards, such as construction equipment, construction materials, debris, mod, loose gravel, and uneven surfaces.”

All of these safety measures should be addressed during the contract negation phase of the project.