DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
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Update On 2024 Dakota County Americans With Disabilities Act Transition Plan For County Highway Rights Of Way
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Receive an update on the 2024 Dakota County Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan for County Highway Rights of Way (ADA Transition Plan).
SUMMARY
To promote a safe and efficient transportation system throughout the County and region and to ensure that the transportation system is accessible to all residents, staff has developed an inventory and findings update to the County’s original 2016 Dakota County ADA Transition Plan. Having an ADA Transition Plan is a requirement for County transportation projects identified in the regional Transportation Improvement Program.
The ADA of 1990 is a civil rights statute that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. As stipulated in Title II of the ADA, Dakota County was required to perform a self-evaluation of its transportation facilities and to develop an ADA Transition Plan to address deficiencies.
In 2016, staff conducted an inventory of pedestrian facilities and traffic signals within Dakota County public right of way to develop the County’s first ADA Transition Plan. The plan was developed in coordination between County Transportation staff, the County Attorney’s Office, and County Risk Management. The 2016 ADA Transition Plan identified that the document was to be updated as conditions within the County evolved, with no specific timelines for doing an update.
In 2024, staff determined the timing was appropriate for an update of the original 2016 ADA Transition Plan as the Dakota County 2040 Transportation Plan was adopted and a complete cycle of Capital Improvement Program projects was completed. The 2024 update focuses primarily on inventory findings and comparisons to determine existing conditions and progress in compliance.
The ADA Transition Plan is used as guidance to address ADA requirements as the County continues to provide accessibility to its transportation infrastructure including the highways, sidewalks, trails, and pedestrian crossings. The ADA Transition Plan is included in the Dakota County 2040 Transportation Plan as an overarching principle that applies to all Transportation Plan investment goals. Staff will accomplish most ADA infrastructure improvements as part of the County’s pavement management and other programmed projects.
Compliance with ADA requirements does not require adoption of the plan by the Board of Commissioners. ADA regulations do not state that a plan must be formally approved by a governing body. However, the act still requires entities to identify and address accessibility barriers outlined in the plan, essentially making it a necessary document for compliance.
Findings
The ADA Transition Plan identified a target of 100 percent compliance for sidewalks and trails by 2027. In 2016, the County had 95 percent of sidewalks and trails as compliant with ADA and that were in good or fair condition. In 2024, this increased to 98 percent.
The ADA Transition Plan identified a target of improving traffic signals to include Accessible Pedestrian Systems (APS) as 90 percent by 2027 and 100 percent by 2037. In 2016, 17 percent of County-owned traffic signals were equipped with APS. In 2024, this increased to 58 percent.
The ADA Transition Plan identified a target of 90 percent ADA-compliant curb ramps by 2027 and 100 percent compliance by 2037. In 2016, 78 percent of curb ramps were identified as compliant with ADA requirements. In 2024, this increased to 97 percent.
County staff will continue to identify opportunities to increase target percentages through the priorities outlined in the ADA Transition Plan and the Dakota County 2040 Transportation Plan and through future construction and maintenance activities.
Attachment: ADA Transition Plan Update Findings provides a comparison of the 2016 ADA Transition Plan and 2024 ADA Transition Plan inventory findings.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Information only; no action requested.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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Information only; no action requested.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: ADA Transition Plan Update Findings
Attachment: Presentation Slides
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Erin Laberee
Author: Scott Peters