Wheelchair Ramps Planned For Two Streets

The sidewalks along two Spokane Valley streets will become more wheelchair-friendly this summer.

County engineers plan to cut wheelchair ramps into several sidewalks along McDonald and Bowdish roads next month.

The current six-inch-high curbs make the sidewalks virtually inaccessible to someone who uses a wheelchair.

The problem is typical throughout the Valley.

County commissioners are expected to award a contract for the work next week. The cost is not yet determined.

Crews will install ramps at 14 intersections on McDonald, between Saltese and Fourth.

On Bowdish, five intersections will be improved between Second and Eighth.

The work should be finished before the first snowfall.

The project is part of the county’s implementation of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, said Ross Kelley, the county’s project management engineer.

The act calls for all public facilities to be accessible to people with disabilities.

“We have a plan to eventually bring all of these up to the standard,” Kelley said.

Last year, the county installed nearly 60 wheelchair ramps along Sprague Avenue as part of that plan.

“We’re getting there, little by little,” Kelley said.

, DataTimes