In Charlottesville, Virginia, concerns have emerged regarding ongoing violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) due to the placement of utility poles. These placements often force wheelchair users and other pedestrians to divert into the street, posing significant safety risks.
Tom Vandever from the Independence Resource Center highlighted that some sidewalks are too narrow to meet ADA requirements, which stipulates a minimum pathway width of 36 inches, with a possible exception down to 32 inches under specific conditions. Vandever pointed out, “When you force people who use wheelchairs out into the street, you’re just asking for catastrophe.”
This issue is exacerbated by the city’s handling of old and new utility poles. In some instances, new poles are installed without the removal of the old ones, leading to double poles that further encroach on pedestrian pathways.
Kevin Cox, a local resident, expressed his frustration, noting how such negligence impacts those who are visually impaired. “They smashed the detectable warning, which is there to let people who are blind or visually impaired know they’re about to step out into the street,” Cox said.
Cox also criticized the city and Dominion Energy for not taking the ADA seriously, suggesting a disregard for civil rights laws that aim to ensure equal access and safety for all city residents.
In response to these concerns, Dominion Energy outlined its procedure for pole replacement. Craig Carper, a senior communications specialist with Dominion, explained, “Once we have installed a new pole, we transfer our equipment to the new pole. If we are the only utility using the pole, we remove it at that time. We are working with the City of Charlottesville to identify and replace poles where feasible.”
Despite these assurances, the city’s progress appears slow. Steven Hicks, director of Charlottesville Public Works, noted in a recent memo that there were approximately 250 double poles as of March, with only 20 addressed by July.
The city promised to provide more details in the coming days, though specific plans and timelines for resolving these ADA violations remain unclear. The situation continues to be a significant concern for residents who depend on safe and accessible sidewalks to navigate their community. The ongoing negotiations and actions by Dominion Energy and the City of Charlottesville will be crucial in addressing these safety hazards and ensuring compliance with federal accessibility laws.