Section 5: Sidewalk Closures

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Section 5: Sidewalk Closures
updated May 29, 2007
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5.1 Clear Path Of Travel

A. A 6-foot wide clear path of travel is desirable. At a minimum, Contractor shall provide a 4-foot wide clear path of travel on any sidewalk at all times. More width may be required by DPW or DPT in areas where heavier pedestrian volumes are expected.

B. Any sidewalk closure, walkway closure or any other work that does not provide a continuous 4-foot wide clear path of travel on the same side of the street shall require a Special Traffic Permit (STP).

C. Any crosswalk closure shall require a STP. Requests for a STP to close a crosswalk may be granted, and generally, only one crosswalk at an intersection is allowed to be closed at a time.

D. The STP will require that the Contractor post and maintain the appropriate pedestrian signs, including but not limited to “SIDEWALK CLOSED AHEAD / USE OTHER SIDE”, “SIDEWALK CLOSED”, “NO PEDESTRIAN CROSSING” and “USE <-- or --> CROSSWALK” (see Signs in Appendix D).

Additional Pedestrian Signs

Sign: Sidewalk Closed (R9-9) Sign: Sidewalk Closed / Use Other Side (R9-10) Sign: Sidewalk Closed Ahead / Cross Here (R9-11) Sign: Sidewalk Closed / Cross Here (R9-11a)

5.2 Sidewalk Closure Guidelines

A. Requests for a STP to close a sidewalk in the middle of the block are generally not accepted because this results in pedestrians having to walk around the work site, usually out into the street, to continue down the sidewalk.

B. Requests for a STP to close the whole block may be accepted, but only if the Contractor’s frontage occupies the entire block.

C. Requests for a STP to close the sidewalk on a minor alley may be granted.

D. Requests for a STP to close a typical sidewalk may be considered by DPT if off-duty SFPD officers are provided to direct pedestrians back to the last safe crossing, and proper signage is installed.

Contractors may also route pedestrians into the parking strip provided that a temporary walkway is set up per DPW’s Barricade Standards. The parking strip cannot be used as a pedestrian walkway during the hours that tow-away is in effect (see Appendix E for Typical Applications).

Sidewalk and Walkway Closures (Diagrams appear below)

Notes:
1. Special Traffic Permits are required for all sidewalk and walkway closures.
2. A "block" is defined as between two major streets (alleys do not define the end of a block).
3. Do not direct pedestrians to cross the street at alleyway intersections

Sidewalk and Walkway Closures

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