TEXAS DEPARTMENT O DRIVING COMMITMENT TO THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
WRITTEN BY JUANITA WEBBER MICHAEL D. BRYANT CHRISTOPHER AMY BRENT JOHNSON MARTHA MARTIN KHOA NGUYEN VALENTE OLIVAREZ, JR. FELIX TREVINO, JR. PHOTOS BY TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ROSCHETZKY PHOTOGRAPHY
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OF TRANSPORTATION
HIGHWAY 183 AND MOPAC EXPRESSWAY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY INTERCHANGE OVERPASS TURN AROUNDS AND TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY URBAN SPRAWL UNITED STATES HIGHWAY SYSTEM AUSTIN TEXAS USA.
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T
he Texas Department of
progress that can unite, serve and
of sidewalks and other pedestrian
Transportation
further
facilities
(TxDOT)
the
safe
and
efficient
and
more
than
2,500
has a long history of being
movement of goods, services and
Department-owned buildings across
committed to providing for the safety,
people that ensure everyone is
the State.
reliability and accessibility to the
included in this process. the
duty to provide accessibility for all
have come to expect the best
operation and management of more
users of its services and programs,
highway system in the United States
than 195,000 lane miles of roadways
including persons with disabilities.
from this agency and should be able
on the State Highway System. This
TxDOT continually strives to provide
to now expect the best transportation
responsibility includes more than
accessible
system for all of its citizens. TxDOT is
53,000
of
facilities for persons using Texas’s state
proud to be a part of changes and
interstate, an estimated 26,000 miles
roadways and other transportation
public it serves. The people of Texas
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TxDOT
is
responsible
The Department understands its
bridges,
3,400
for
miles
public
services
and
facilities.
Projects and activities
ADA is a federal civil rights law that
transportation-related
include local agencies, advocacy
provides protection for persons with
with
groups and coordination with other
disabilities against discrimination by
Texas, including city and county
agency civil rights programs, such as
public and private entities. The ADA
governments; metropolitan planning
Disadvantaged Business Enterprises,
extends similar, earlier protections
organizations (MPOs) and public
Equal
Opportunity,
provided by the Section 504 of the
transit providers.
On-the-Job Training, and Title VI/
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section
Nondiscrimination.
504).
Employment
Overview
other
Title
activities
II
agencies
in
As an employer within Texas State Government, and a provider and user
• Section
504
requires
of public and private services, the
The Americans with Disabilities Act
entities that receive federal financial
Texas Department of Transportation
(ADA) is a civil rights law that mandates
assistance to ensure they do not
is also subject to requirements of
an equal opportunity for individuals
discriminate against persons with
ADA Title I (employment), Title III
with disabilities. The ADA prohibits
disabilities
(contracts with private consultants
accessibility discrimination to jobs,
services, programs and activities.
when
providing
their
and
contractors)
and
Title
IV
public accommodations, government
• The
services, public transportation, and
discrimination
telecommunications.
Texas
disability for operations conducted
of Transportation Projects
Transportation
by State and local governments
As a multi-modal transportation
(TxDOT) is required to conduct a
and for facilities owned by private
provider, TxDOT engages in a variety
comprehensive re-evaluation of its
businesses, even if they do not
of projects to ensure the efficient
policies, programs, and facilities
receive federal financial assistance.
movement of people, services and
Department
of
The
to determine the extent to which
on
the
prohibits basis
(telecommunications services).
Texas Department
of
Title II of the ADA requires
goods. Generally, when people think
individuals with disabilities may be
State and local governments to
of “facilities”, a road, bridge, vessel,
restricted in their access to services
ensure
programs
travel information center or safety
and activities.
and activities are accessible to and
rest area does not come to mind.
usable by persons with disabilities.
TxDOT provides direct and indirect
Access to civic life by people with disabilities is a fundamental goal of
•
ADA
Title
services,
public
assistance in such areas as Aviation,
the Americans with Disabilities Act
accommodations and commercial
Rail, Maritime, and Public Transit.
(ADA). To ensure this goal is met,
facilities to ensure their buildings
Many citizens participate in services
Title II of the ADA requires state and
and sites are designed, constructed
offered in various public buildings,
local governments to make their
and altered in compliance with
TxDOT leases or owns.
programs and services accessible
accessibility standards.
to persons with disabilities (28 CFR
•
their
III
requires
All persons must be able to
As a State Transportation Agency
participate in everyday civic life. As
requirement
(STA) and government entity, the
required by 28 CFR 35,107(1), the
extends not only to physical access
operations of the Department are
Department employs a Statewide
at government facilities, programs,
subject to both the requirements
ADA/504 Coordinator, Michael D.
and events, but also to pedestrian
of Section 504 and Title II of the
Bryant who has oversight of the
facilities in public rights-of-way.
ADA.
grievance process and investigating
35.149-35.151).
This
In addition, the Department
Background
provides oversight of, information
complaints;
Adopted on July 26, 1990, the
and resources to, and coordinates
technical
training;
providing
assistance;
customer
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service and other program services and activities.
Juanita J. Webber,
Pecos West Safety Rest Area (I-10, approx. 25 miles west of Ft.
the Department’s ADA Compliance
Stockton)
Program Administrator since October,
The Pecos County Safety Rest Area
2016 was hired to provide specialized
is located on each side of Interstate
knowledge and skill and guidance to
10 approximately 25 miles west
transform the ADA/504 Accessibility
of Fort Stockton. The project is a
Program. Webber spearheads all
highway roadside rest area designed
initiatives related to the grievance
to invite in fatigued passing drivers
process and investigating complaints,
that have been traveling the long
training,
West Texas highways.
technical
assistance,
customer service and other ADA
The design is influenced by the
activities. She is instrumental in
native geological shapes, roadside
directing outreach activities related
mountains that have been cut away
to accessible transportation services
by erosion or man and the local
and facilities. In addition, Webber
history. Both the site and building run
guides the self-evaluation of TxDOT’s
longitudinal in the East/West direction
policies, procedures and practices
reflecting the westward expansion
in all services, programs activities
spirit of the past. A dry creek and
and facilities to identify and eliminate
greenbelt of vegetation run through
barriers to accessibility.
the middle of the site paying tribute
Design and
to the natural springs that once
Construction Phase
flowed through this area that was
The
Division
the lifeline for humans and animals
performs inspection and testing and
in this harsh desert environment.
provides
oversight
Limestone is utilized for the building
construction
and landscape material creating
contracts. The division is responsible
a timeless structure that appears
for
contractor
pre-qualification,
to be growing out of the ground.
bid
proposal
issuance
and
The roof structures blend into the
awarding (letting) construction and
landscape following the contours of
maintenance contracts. It provides
the distant mountain range. Corten
consultation to districts on project
steel is used for the picnic arbors
management,
allowing the steel to patina creating a
for
Construction
all
administrative department
administration
and
inspection and testing throughout the project life cycle. Registered Accessibility
As
the
visitors
approach
the
(RAS)
building they will notice how the
accessibility
building structure is suggestive of
compliance during the construction
the surrounding mesas and built with
phase.
layers of limestone similar to what
inspect
Specialists
timeless rustic appearance.
projects
for
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they have just seen driving through
expansive raw beauty West Texas
responsible for the operation and
the
mountains cut away for the
is evident for close viewing. Along
maintenance of state transportation
interstate. Walking through the lobby,
the path from the parking are steel
facilities within the 10-county South
the guest will experience the sound
pedestrian bridges that cross the
Texas region known as the Coastal
of the wood floor beneath their feet
dry creek bed creating a physical
Bend.
giving a sense of the past. Painting
transition into a space that mentally
for more than 7,000 lane miles
murals suspended on a sliding rail
suggests the spirit of the region past
of roadway and management of
system depict the local history and
and present.
nearly $500 million in construction and
This includes responsibility
features that allude to the westward
The ultimate goal of the rest area is
maintenance
operations
in
movement. A south glass wall frames
to both energize the body with respite
2017. In addition, the District is also
the view of the Davis Mountains on
and to energize the mind through
responsible for the delivery of the $803
the horizon.
imagination and appreciation of this
million Harbor Bridge Replacement
As visitors walk the site they will
unique place resulting in a more alert
Project.
be able to reflect upon the unique
driver ready to continue the journey
addresses structural deficiencies and
vegetation display in the area. Paths
down Texas highways.
navigational restrictions of the current
This design-build project
along the dry creek bed that lead to
Harbor Bridge
bridge and improves safety and
picnic arbors and eventually to the
Replacement Project
connectivity at the SH 286/US 181/
undisturbed nature path where the
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The
Corpus
Christi
District
is
IH 37 interchange. The new bridge
is currently not named. The existing
phase of the project that was initiated
determine their views as well as hear
bridge is commonly known as the
in 2011, the Texas Department of
their ideas regarding the project.
“Harbor Bridge;” so the construction
Transportation (TxDOT) undertook
This outreach, which culminated in 95
project is referred to as The Harbor
proactive
Bridge Replacement Project. The
all
ensure
that
public involvement events, provided
including
the
meaningful input that stressed the
Texas Department of Transportation
adjacent minority communities, had
need for better connectivity and ADA
has partnered with Flatiron/Dragados,
meaningful opportunities for public
access in and around the project
LLC for the design and construction
participation in the decision-making
area.
of the project. TxDOT awarded the
process for the new bridge. TxDOT
As a result of the feedback, TxDOT
project to Flatiron/Dragados, LLC in
engaged the community through a
required that existing pedestrian
September 2015.
series of neighborhood meetings
access
and visits to stakeholder groups to
adjacent to and across the project
From the outset of the scoping
efforts
stakeholders,
to
would
be
maintained
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construction corridor. In addition, TxDOT included the installation of new ADA compliant sidewalks and curb ramps within the project limits, consistent with the city of Corpus Christi’s ADA Master Plan. Signalized intersections will feature pedestrian signal elements, taking into account ambulatory, visual and auditory needs as well as detection equipment fully compliant with ADA and Texas Accessibility Standards. A project highlight is the 10-footwide shared-use path that will traverse the entire length of the new
bridge
and
connect
two
communities cohesively on either side of the bridge. The path will provide the highest viewpoint for a pedestrian in all of South Texas and a panoramic view of Corpus Christi Bay and Downtown. This feature is sure to be popular both with locals and tourists. Consequently, TxDOT worked closely with the Developer to design a trail head system to provide better community access to the shared-use path. These trail heads provide parking and ADA accessible ramps for easier access to the bridge. Weather, undoubtedly, is always a challenge during a construction project.
Due to its location in a
coastal region, the project has to deal with not only rain, but also the constant gusty prevailing winds of the Gulf of Mexico. Working at the heights required by the new bridge makes this especially challenging. ArchitectBlueprint.com™ | 13
Amadeo Saenz Ferry Vessel More than 8 million passengers ride the Port Aransas and GalvestonPort Bolivar ferries annually. The two routes operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, weather permitting. The Port Aransas route runs between two and six ferries a day and connects travelers on SH 361 a link across the Corpus Christi Channel between Aransas Pass, on the mainland, and Port Aransas, on Mustang Island. The quarter-mile route typically takes less than ten minutes, although peak summer hours may require drivers to wait longer. Each ferry can carry up to 20 regular passenger
vehicles.
Combined
vehicles, such as a truck towing a boat, may not be longer than 80 feet, wider than 13 feet or taller than 13 feet 6 inches. Single-axle vehicles may weigh no more than 20,000 pounds, tandem axles no more than 34,000 pounds and combination vehicles may not exceed a total of 80,000 pounds. Since 2011, the ferry operations team at Port Aransas has chosen to utilize a 2-car ferry based on the amount of traffic and the number of tourists visiting the area. When it is determined that a new
then
and the ADA. The distance of the
vessel is needed, in compliance with
retrofitted with the landings in Port
route impacts whether a restroom
the Code of Federal Regulations and
Aransas. The new vessel is always
must be included in the vessel
the American Bureau of Shipping,
designed consistently with all other
design. For example, if the route is
then a naval architect is sought
TxDOT ‘sister’ vessels.
less than a ¼ mile or takes less than
through the procurement process. TxDOT
supplies
a
design
plan
upgrade
requirements
and
The Coast Guard plays a pivotal compliance.
restroom is not required on the vessel.
to the naval architect based on
Vessel size and routes falls under the
Other variables such as accessibility
size requirements and technology
C.F.R.s governing the Coast Guard
to and through door entrances,
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role
regarding
ADA
3 minutes to transport passengers, a
circulation path, approach, signage
TxDOT
is
currently
working
to
Director capacity are honored after
and effective communication must
provide effective communication on
serving by having a vessel named
be considered for persons with
all of its vessels. New technologies
for them. The vessels are usually
disabilities. Effective communication
and methods are being evaluated at
named in the order in which a former
on ferries poses one of the biggest
the time of this article. It is TxDOT’s
executive director served. Amadeo
challenges TxDOT and persons with
goal to ensure ADA compliance and
Saenz, Jr. P. E. served in the capacity
disabilities face.
inclusion for everyone.
from 2007 to 2011. One of the newest
Many vessels are older and cannot
Former employees who have served
be retrofitted with new technology.
the Department in the Executive
vessels, The Amadeo Saenz was dedicated in March 2018. ArchitectBlueprint.com™ | 15
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Amarillo Travel
such as Drive Clean Texas and
and other travel publications. Also
Information Center
Don’t mess with Texas to keep Texas
under this division’s oversight is
The Travel Information Division
air clean and highways litter-free.
DriveTexas.org, the state’s official
is tasked with promoting travel and
It publishes Texas Highways, the
portal for highway conditions and
tourism and travel safety in Texas
state’s official travel magazine, as
emergency travel information, along
while preserving the environment.
well as the Texas Official Travel
with the associated toll-free Travel
This division administer programs
Map, Texas State Travel Guide,
Information Line at 1-800-452-9292.
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Centers are named for the city or town where they are located. The Travel Information Centers first opened in June 1936 as a temporary amenity to assist travelers coming to Texas for the World’s Fair and Texas Centennial celebrations in Dallas. They proved so useful and popular that the 44th Legislature moved to make them permanent that October. Some locations have changed, and all facilities have been expanded and upgraded numerous times over the years; but their core mission of welcoming visitors, providing them with ideas of what to see and do in Texas, and keeping them safe on their travels through the state, remains the same. The first Travel Information Centers were simply roadside booths staffed with Texas A&M Cadets. These attendants
provided
carhop-style
service to travelers who never left their automobiles, so no accommodations were needed. All centers have been upgraded and expanded at various dates many times through the years. In Amarillo, the most recent design began in the late 1990s, well after the initial implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the standards put forth in Finally, TxDOT operates 12 Travel
million visitors per year, and provide
1991. During the design process, the
Information
welcome
travel and tourism recommendations
Maintenance and Travel Information
visitors at points of entry to the state
and travel literature, as well as
Divisions made a point of ensuring
and at the Capitol Visitor Center
highway conditions and emergency
that the facility, intended for public
in Austin and the Judge Roy Bean
travel information by answering the
use, would not only meet, but exceed
Visitor Center in Langtry. These
toll-free DriveTexas Travel Information
existing standards. The redesigned
centers welcome approximately two
Line. All of TxDOT’s Travel Information
facility opened in 2002. Because of
Centers
to
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considerations taken in the design,
high winds, extreme heat during the
costs was $3.8 million and $1.4
the facility is in full compliance with
summer, and extreme cold, ice and
million, respectively, totaling a cost of
and partially exceeds 2010 ADA
snow during the winter. Additionally,
$5.2 million.
standards.
the building’s design, with its copper
Because
the
center
The end result fully justified these
maintains
roof and layers of different-colored
challenges.
a close working relationship with
bricks representing the strata of
Information Center was the recipient
the Amarillo
rocks in nearby Palo Duro Canyon,
of the Brick Industry Association’s
posed challenges during the build.
2003 Brick in Architecture Award,
District
office,
it
is
prioritized for plowing and ice melt during
adverse
winter
weather
The key players in this phase
was featured in the July/August 2003
has even remained open overnight
Roadside
(the
and went on to win the 2004 Texas
to
travelers.
group that designs and maintains
Society of Architects Design Award
Weather was the primary challenge
the state’s unstaffed Safety Rest
and the 2006 National Council of
in the design and construction of the
Areas)
State
Amarillo Travel Information Center.
Division leadership. The design and
Award in the Travel Information/
The Texas Panhandle is subject to
construction and land acquisition
Welcome Center Programs category.
Facilities
and
Travel
Division
Travel
were
stranded
Maintenance
Amarillo
conditions. In the past, the center shelter
the
The
Branch
Information
issue of Texas Architect magazine,
Tourism
Directors
Mercury
Inside TxDOT (Texas Department of Transportation) Find out more about the diverse range of TxDOT's divisions.
Texas Department of Transportation 125 East 11th St. Austin, TX 78701 p: 512.463.8588 www.txdot.gov
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