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ADA curb ramp information and resources for scoping, design, construction, and inspection in the City of Portland.
Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) resources for scoping, design, construction, and inspection of accessible routes in the City of Portland. For more general information on Portland's resources for ADA Title II and disability equity, go to the Office of Equity & Human Rights' ADA Resources page here.
Request a curb ramp
Information, criteria, and our online request form available here:
Video Series
ADA Curb Ramp Process: Introduction
ADA Curb Ramp Process: Construction
ADA Curb Ramp Process: Inspection
Scoping: Is corner replacement required?
When a project constructs a new pedestrian facility (e.g. a new sidewalk or ped-push button), resurfaces a portion of the street, or performs other alterations, the project must provide ADA Compliant curb ramps along the route as part of the project.
Development may trigger construction or replacement of corner ramps and a Public Works Permit. Contact Public Works Permitting or schedule a 15-minute appointment for information about development requirements.
Federal Information: FHWA/DOJ joint guidance on ADA curb ramp construction
Design & Construction
Standard Details & Drawings: P-547 to 550, P-504
City Engineer Directives: ST 001, ST 003-02, ST 005, TL 001, WC 006
Inspection & Certification
Request a Utilities Form or Concrete Inspection
PBOT/ODOT letters of intent to coordinate designs, reviews, and pavement requirements for ramps constructed along ODOT highways
FAQ
What is considered a legal crossing, and what parts of the ramps need to be within it?
- See City Engineer Directive ST 003 for a detailed description. Locate the entire ramp throat within the legal crosswalk or work with your ADA Technical Advisor to obtain a variance. City Engineer Directives
Is yellow tactile warning the only option?
- Yes. City of Portland requires all tactile warning panels to be federal yellow as defined by AMS-STD-595. See drawings P-547 thru P-550. "Detectable warnings shall be federal yellow." City of Portland Standard drawing P-548, note 8. Standard Details & Drawings
Why can't I do a curb return on a midblock ramp when it is shown as "optional" on the standard drawing?
- Curb returns are only allowed when adjacent to a vegetated furnishing zone, or if pedestrian passage is blocked by a utility pole, signal box, handrail, or similar object. Otherwise, they pose a tripping hazard. See drawing P-548, note 7. Standard Details & Drawings
If the ramp is in both ODOT and City jurisdiction, which ADA standards (City vs. ODOT) should I use?
- See City Engineer Directive ST 002 for a detailed answer. City Engineer Directives
What type of work will trigger a non-compliant (or non-existent) ADA ramp to be rebuilt?
- Triggers include permanent alterations to the pedestrian crossing such as islands, paving (with or without grinding), rebuilding signals, alterations to the curb line, all new construction. Any utility work that disturbs the curb line (utility trench within 24" of curb) in a legal crossing or damages part of an existing ramp will trigger bringing the entire ramp up to current standards. 2013 Joint Technical Assistance document. When determining project limits, attempting to avoid ADA by intent is NOT acceptable. Example of what not to do: paving up to an intersection and then beginning paving again on the other side so that ADA ramps don't have to be replaced. See Ramp Triggers document. FHWA/DOJ joint guidance on ADA curb ramp construction.
What upgrades can be made that will NOT trigger an ADA ramp?
- Typically, single maintenance actions such as replacing signs, changing striping configuration, chip sealing, fog sealing, replacing light bulbs or fixtures, or patching potholes will not trigger an ADA ramp. Paving to cover a utility trench that is just a portion of the pavement will not trigger ADA, even if some of the trench is within a crosswalk. In no case is a lower level of accessibility allowed compared to previous conditions. Note that doing more than one of the actions on this list may trigger ADA ramps, see FHWA Joint Technical Assistance document for more info. See City Engineer Directive ST 001 for additional information on requirements for traffic signal improvements. See Ramp Triggers document. FHWA/DOJ joint guidance on ADA curb ramp construction.
If a project constructs or reconstructs a ramp on one corner of an intersection, under what conditions do the rest of the corners need to be reconstructed?
- Rebuilding one corner alone (no signal upgrades or paving through the crosswalk) does not automatically trigger any of the other corners. If a curb ramp is constructed and there is no curb cut (curb ramp) on the receiving side, a new ADA compliant curb ramp must be constructed on the receiving side. Work that triggers one corner (such as paving or signal rebuilds) will often trigger every corner in an intersection, since the signal and paving upgrades must be accessible to all users.
What are the requirements for a landing, specifically in the street?
- A landing area is required any time a user of the accessible path will change directions. At the bottom of a ramp (in the street) this is most often found at a single ramp that serves two crosswalks. There ‘street' landings are required to meet the same size and slope requirements as any other landing. In addition, street landings are required to be within the legal crossing and cannot be in a travel lane or bike lane. ADA Design Values document. Standard Details & Drawings: P-548 detail C.
When do I need double ramps (one for each crossing)? When can I use a single diagonal ramp on a corner (covering both directions)?
- A ramp for each crossing is required at every corner, unless a variance is obtained. Single diagonal ramps are only allowed with a variance, and Ramp Reports are required as part of the process of obtaining a variance. If a corner requires a single diagonal ramp, note this on the Curb Ramp Design Form and an ADA Technical Advisor can approve it. City Engineer Directive ST 002.
If dual ramps can't work due to grading challenges and we install single ramp, why do I need to submit a ramp report?
- All curb ramp designs require ADA Curb Ramp Reports, see City Engineer Directive ST 002. Single diagonal ramps are only allowed with a variance, and Ramp Reports are required as part of the process of obtaining a variance.
What are your requirements for AC ramps connecting new sidewalk to the existing roadway?
- All ADA ramp requirements must be met including slopes, dimensions, and truncated domes. AC may be used for a temporary ramp until a concrete ramp is built. There are no exceptions in the ADA law for this situation, so all requirements must be met.
What are the requirements for temporary AC at ramps before final paving is completed?
- All requirements for an ADA ramp must be met before it is opened to the public. If temporary AC is used until the final paving comes through, then it must meet the same ADA requirements. Two common areas of concern for temporary AC are the maximum 11% grade break, and the requirement for joints to be flush (no lip).
Can I adjust the curb radius to make dual ramps work?
Yes, but only with the approval of a PBOT traffic engineer. This option should be explored before using a single diagonal ramp. Corner Radius Design Guidance
Do we still depress inlets near ADA ramps?
- Depress inlets to the extent possible without interfering with the ramp design criteria. A CG-1 or CG-2 grate inlet does not require a depression to function, but a CG-3 inlet requires 1" minimum depression. See Portland Civil Design Guide for Public Street Improvements: 17.1 Depressions and ‘inlet and Ramp proximity' in ADA Design Values.
Do I have to have 6ft wings?
- No. See ‘Length of Ramp Wings' in ADA Design Values for requirements. Constraints on wings are the maximum relative slope and the curb height that needs to be achieved. The Portland Civil Design Guide for Public Street Improvements specifies 4" minimum curb height (3" if between ramps) or to match existing. The wing must be long enough for the relative slope to be 10% or less and meet curb height requirements.
In a dual ramp scenario, can the interior wings be less than 3ft wide?
- Generally, no, unless the street is steep enough that 3" of curb exposure can be attained with less than 3' wings and maximum slope requirements are still met. See ‘Length of Ramp Wings' and ‘Relative slope on ramp wings' in ADA Design Values for requirements.
Can utility lids or valve boxes be in ADA wings?
- This should be avoided, but there are occasions where it cannot. Contact Utility Permits {link to email} and the utility that owns the feature, if there is not another location available.
What ramps are required at offset intersections?
- Legal pedestrian crossings exist at all intersections, but it may not be feasible to maintain accessible crossings at all legs of an offset intersection. Work with a traffic engineer to determine how best to balance ramp alignment, crossing distance and out-of-direction travel with the existing infrastructure to provide accessibility to all users. Review City Engineer Directive ST 003 for information about ramp placement.
Other references
- Portland Pedestrian Design Guide
- Portland Civil Design Guide for Public Street Improvements
- Curb Ramp Standard Drawings