Buckle up, Southie!  Make sure to watch construction signs! 

You may also notice crews working on curb ramps as part of sidewalk construction around the neighborhood. The City is upgrading ramps to make them ADA-compliant and improve accessibility for everyone.

Back in 2021, Boston reached a landmark agreement to improve accessibility on city streets and sidewalks, committing to build or upgrade roughly 1,600 curb ramps each year. The City also brings nearby ramps into compliance when streets are resurfaced.

According to the City of Boston, there are six steps to a typical sidewalk project:

1. Crews cut and remove the section of sidewalk where work will take place, usually about a week before the rest of the project begins.
2. The sidewalk is closed, and pedestrian traffic is redirected around the work area.
3. Crews remove the old sidewalk, reset the granite curb to the proper height, and install wooden forms for the new concrete.
4. New concrete is poured, typically in two phases over two days.
5. The concrete is roped off while it hardens. In most cases, the sidewalk can be used by the end of the day.
6. Crews patch the roadway next to the work area and reopen the sidewalk.

The City says it typically takes three to five days to complete new sidewalks and curb ramps.

Here is some more helpful information about ADA curb ramps here.