The picture is so far away that it's hard to tell if it meets the guidelines set forth in: http://www2.oaklandnet.com/oakca1/groups/pwa/documents/memorandum/oak062315.pdf
But basically contractors do have the right to close sections of the street so that work can be done to erect new structures.

The relevant section of Oakland’s construction sidewalk detour guidance is shown here. This sidewalk closure is in Downtown and lasted for more than 4 hours, therefore it is not compliant with the existing guidance.

You'll want to look at page 3 of this document:
http://www2.oaklandnet.com/oakca1/groups/pwa/documents/memorandum/oak062315.pdf
It gives guidance on how to do it correctly. This is quite obviously for a rather large construction project... with no other way to do what they are doing.

As with many City of Oakland documents they don't take into account all of the things that must happen in building... or zoning.

From the photo it is impossible to tell if they followed the rules for closing the sidewalk area as specified in the document.

Yes, I worked with the city on developing that document. A sidewalk diversion (temporary on-street path with ADA-compliant ramps) would be acceptable, but the current closure (referred to as “detour” in this document) at this location is not. That is what this SeeClickFix report is about.

From the photo it is impossible to tell if they followed the rules for closing the sidewalk area as specified in the document.

Now if we could see if there was signage... or not we might make a determination... but unfortunately the pic is from over block away.

It's best to fight things when you have the right ammunition... otherwise you spin your wheels.

I have been to this construction site and know it is not in compliance with Oakland’s construction traffic control guidelines. Ruth who reported this has been there and knows this as well. If you are only familiar with the project via this photo then please do not speculate about the validity of the report.

Your other reports dealing with graffiti and litter issues are appreciated, these comments on Ruth’s reports are definitely not. I ask you respectfully to please stop.

RP: I have been to this construction site and know it is not in compliance with Oakland’s construction traffic control guidelines.

How would you know? You are under the mistaken assumption that contractors can only divert pedestrian traffic (or so you state a few posts up^^^^^). Page 3 gives guidance on how to do a detour... which is acceptable with "an Approved TCP"... Or so it states in note 3 to figure 1.

Again... don't waste time tilting at windmills of your making.

Please refer to the image attached to my first comment, which indicates “pedestrian detours are not acceptable in downtown Oakland”, except for 4 hours or less.

Detour (shown on the left of the image attached here) = no access past construction site, pedestrians directed to the other side of the street. This is not permitted Downtown, but is being employed at this and other construction sites regardless.

Diversion (shown on the right of the attached image) = temporary on-street pedestrian walkway provided past the construction site. This is what is being requested, as required in the Downtown area.

Somehow I would guess that the contractors on a multi-million $$ building would likely have an "Approved TCP" in place.

Also you will note... the Document you reference says: Supplemental Design Guidance" It mentions this throughout the document many many times... GUIDANCE... it must mean something to say GUIDANCE so many times. Like... this is what we would like... but if there is no other way then do it according to these rules. I'm guessing that there is no other way, but for them to close the sidewalk area. Or would it be better for you to shut down 3 lanes of traffic so that a diversion can be worked out?

One needs to be semi sensible here, allow things to change, buildings to happen. Also depending upon when this project was permitted, your codes may not have been put in place yet. These type of projects are long in the planning stages so that they go quickly (as possible) while under construction.

That's how life works in the real world.

Following the TCP guidelines will not prevent developments from happening, but it will improve access and safety especially for people with disabilities, and it will reduce negative impacts on nearby retail locations which rely on foot traffic past their storefront which is reduced when their side of the street is closed to pedestrians.

These are the reasons why the guidelines were developed, and why I and other community members will keep advocating for them to be followed consistently.

In each case I’ve seen it has been possible to maintain pedestrian, bike, and vehicle access past every construction site, so the sensible thing to do is to make sure everyone is accommodated. The guidelines were adopted over a year ago and we were told by staff at that time there may be a 6 month or so lag for applying to them to new TCPs. That lag is now well past us, so every new project should be compliant.

RP: Following the TCP guidelines will not prevent developments from happening, but it will improve access and safety especially for people with disabilities, and it will reduce negative impacts on nearby retail locations which rely on foot traffic past their storefront which is reduced when their side of the street is closed to pedestrians.

I beg to differ. If you shut down 2 lanes of traffic, plus the parking strip, you will be left with one lane for all traffic to go through. (there are 3 lanes here) One car that stops to discharge passengers or one truck making a delivery will stop traffic. That will surely do more to disrupt storefronts on either side of the street for blocks around.

Your one size fits all is not working... which is why it says GUIDANCE and not MUST DO.

Thankfully we have some folks in OPW who realize this...

I disagree, but at least it sounds like we are now in agreement about what the guidelines actually say. Your comments here will not stop folks from making reports and advocating for consistent compliance with the TCP guidelines.

I’m not going to get into this with you further here. If you are interested in contacting me directly you can reach me through the Bike East Bay website. I’m easy to find as I use my real name on SeeClickFix, and take full responsibility for the statements I make here.

RP: I disagree, but at least it sounds like we are now in agreement

Hardly...

The City of Oakland Call Center addressed this issue on 06/07/2018, service request #793484.