Safe Sidewalk Program

For the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Houston, the Safe Sidewalk Program (SSP) provides sidewalks and ramps within the public right-of-way for pedestrians to use around schools and major thoroughfares and to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. The Department of Public Works and Engineering (PWE) constructs sidewalks as an independent public improvement through the SSP under the Safe School Sidewalk Program, Major Thoroughfare Program, and Pedestrian Accessible Review (PAR) Program, further described as follows.

Safe School Sidewalk Program: Provides for the installation of sidewalks leading to and surrounding schools based on the following criteria:

• Number of children using pathways
• Traffic count and road conditions
• Constructability issues
• Located within school block
• Collector street within school zone

Major Thoroughfare Program: Provides for installation of sidewalks along major thoroughfares based on the following criteria:

• Thoroughfares lacking safe passage for pedestrians
• Areas around shopping centers, bus stops and other frequently traveled routes
• Constructability issues

PAR Program: The PAR Program is administered by the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD). Sidewalks and curb cut/ramps are provided to improve sidewalk accessibility for people with disabilities. A citizen is considered eligible to participate in the PAR Program when there is no safe accessible path of travel to:

Program Contact:
Dianne Dixon-Hicks
Phone (713) 837-7170
Fax (713) 837- 7120
E-mail: dianne.dixon-hicks@cityofhouston.net