Bumps for the blind are waste of money
Looks like the city of Fresno is at it again. It is tearing out a perfectly good corner curb to install “truncated domes,” even though the curb already has a handicap ramp.
You know them as those teeth-shaking bumps on yellow squares originally required by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act back in 1991. They are no longer required by the feds, according to Fresno Bee writer Paula Lloyd, but of course, the State of California, in its infinite wisdom, kept them as code. And of course, our city has continued to install them in our neighborhoods and on street corners everywhere.
They are supposed to alert the blind when they are leaving the sidewalk. I don’t know about you, but when was the last time you saw a blind person walking in your neighborhood? So far the city has spent more than $40 million to install over 21,000 of these tripping areas. That’s $40 million of your money.
Just think how better that money could be spent here in Fresno to repairing our terrible streets, beautifying Highway 41,or, buying seeing-eye dogs for the blind.
James Gaskins, Fresno
This story was originally published September 8, 2016 at 12:30 PM with the headline "Bumps for the blind are waste of money."