Sidewalks for Wheelchairs: Enforcement Delayed Till March 20
Published Date: 2/19/2025
Rule
Summary
The U.S. Department of Transportation is giving everyone until March 20, 2025, before they start enforcing new accessibility rules for sidewalks, crosswalks, and other pedestrian areas. These rules help make public walkways easier and safer for people with disabilities. If you build or fix sidewalks, get ready to follow these standards soon, but no fines or penalties will happen until after the deadline.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
PROWAG adopted as accessibility standard
DOT adopted the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board's PROWAG as DOT's regulatory standards for new construction and alterations of transit stops in the public right-of-way. The final rule became effective January 17, 2025, so new construction and alterations will be subject to these accessibility requirements.
New compliance requirement for transit stop work
If you build or alter transit stops in the public right-of-way, those projects must meet the PROWAG accessibility standards adopted by DOT, effective January 17, 2025. Although DOT will not enforce the standards until March 20, 2025, the regulatory obligation applies to new construction and alterations.
Enforcement delayed until March 20, 2025
DOT announced it will not take enforcement action against regulated entities for failing to comply with the Accessibility Standards for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way (PROWAG) until March 20, 2025. The notice was issued February 19, 2025; the underlying final rule became effective January 17, 2025.
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