Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

CoffeeCrisis t1_jaa44h6 wrote

Reply to comment by Vague_Disclosure in [Inquirer] Philadelphia collected $21 million in fees to improve pedestrian safety. Sidewalks are still treacherous. by Hoyarugby

I don't understand how almost every single work site I see completely commandeers sidewalks without any repercussions. I'm not even surprised when I see it. Can't the city hire a single person to go around fining the shit out of people?

54

all_akimbo t1_jab1t7u wrote

I had 36 email chain with my council person who brought in someone senior at the streets department (maybe head engineer?) about this on my block. The dude even came to see it and said “I gave them a hard time and told them not to block the sidewalk anymore”. Reader, you will be shocked to learn that nothing changed.

27

craftyangie t1_jab5b5w wrote

Same here. I for weeks I begged to anyone listening to please ask a construction company, to not force children (going to a k-8 school) to go through an active construction zone. Took about 2 weeks for anyone to do anything…but the construction guys are still parking their trucks blocking the crosswalks completely. Once they left about 12” for kids, strollers and handicapped to get through (the other sidewalk was closed off for construction)! Near my work that company insists on blocking the crosswalk to my building, plus both of our exits are constantly blocked off by construction vehicles, equipment and materials (both for new and waste). They’ve expanded well beyond their “110 feet” of sidewalk, according to the permit, it’s disgusting (because of the waste) and dangerous (because peds and cyclists don’t know what to do). The city would make so much money going around and fining them; but no one thinks it’s wrong until someone dies.

13

all_akimbo t1_jab70fk wrote

I think everyone on both the political and administrative side of things here has an extremely apologetic attitude towards things like blocking sidewalks, intersections, etc..

10

CoffeeCrisis t1_jabfyno wrote

😂it's almost like shitty contractors will only listen to heavy fines

4

bigL162 t1_jaeld7y wrote

>Can't the city hire a single person to go around fining the shit out of people?

I think that's the problem, they legit have 4 inspectors assigned to right of way issues for the entire city. The odds of being flagged by one of them is probably similar to the odds of playing the lottery and losing.

3

CoffeeCrisis t1_jaenl4s wrote

That doesn't make any sense, these dudes would pay for themselves in like a day of working

2