A fair number of Detroiters -- especially physically disabled residents -- walk in the streets.

In 2010, Ohio-based Federal consultant H.R. Gray and Associates was observing the City's program to replace crossings with ADA-compliant access ramps. The group found that 126 ramps in a 5-sq-mi downtown area were compliant in 2008. The Free Press printed that the city would spend $41.2M on the project and installed 12,000 ramps by the end of the year. 87,000 were needed. Al Jordan was director of the Department of Public Works.

Because of the ADA, the ramps must also go in areas with high abandonment. Rightsizing may close down some streets, saving this expense.

Sources

• Detroit finally starts proper curb cut construction - 5 years after federal order, 20 years after ADA. Detroit Free Press. 2010.
• New Sidewalk Wheelchair Ramps in the City of Detroit where no one lives. DetroitYES. October 2011.