Major Audit of Downtown Boston and Chinatown Sidewalks, Crosswalks, and Ramps Complete

Jul 26

Written By DBNA

Efforts intended to support resource allocation and improve public safety

BOSTON, Monday, July 28, 2025, 7:15pm ET - This past Saturday marked the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As part of broader efforts to enhance public safety in and around Downtown Boston, the Downtown Boston Neighborhood Association and other stakeholders are stepping up efforts to ensure that area streets, sidewalks, crosswalks, and ramps are safe and accessible for all.

The Streets & Sidewalks Working Group of the One Downtown Task Force audited nearly every crosswalk, ramp, handicap ramp, and sidewalk / areaway across Downtown Boston and Chinatown over the past 2-weeks. This massive undertaking has led to the creation of a robust database with nearly 1,000 images. AI-enabled models are being used to create “current condition scores” for every major sidewalk / areaway issue that was discovered (see map below). The most pressing crosswalk and ramp issues have been identified and are being triaged in partnership with city agencies. Roadway and signage issues will be added to the database in the near future. An interactive map of the work that has been done to date is available here and is included below.

Over the past few months, the City’s Street Lighting team has replaced nearly 400 light fixtures across the neighborhood, resulting in significantly improved lighting conditions. The worn edges of Winter Street have been rebuilt and repaired. And thanks to resident advocacy, the concurrent walk signal — where cars are turning at the same time as pedestrians are crossing — at Boylston Street and Tremont Street has been removed, resulting in a safer pedestrian experience.

While we have made some progress, much work remains to be done. The maps below highlight the numerous unresolved issues with our sidewalks and areaways, which disproportionately impact those who are mobility impaired and disabled. The handicap ramp and crosswalk at West Street and Washington Street (see below), which have been in a state of disrepair since the summer of 2023 and impact visitors and residents daily, serve as a visible reminder of the challenges that remain — we expect this specific set of issues to be fully resolved in the very near future.

We remain intensely focused on ensuring that everyone who lives, works, studies, and visits Downtown Boston and surrounding neighborhoods is safe and feels safe. The health of our streets, sidewalks, crosswalks, and ramps is critically important in achieving this mission. A world-class city like Boston must have world-class infrastructure without exception - we look forward to continuing to partner with city agencies and other stakeholders to make this a reality.