SB 6311 — Providing for continuous, safe, and accessible pedestrian passage during certain construction projects.

ENGROSSEDS-4228.1 SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6311 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session By Senate Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Liias, Lovelett, Hasegawa, Nobles, Saldaña, Shewmake, and C.

Wilson)Wilson READRead FIRSTfirst TIMEtime 02/09/26.01/26/26.

Referred to Committee on Transportation.

1 ESSBSB 6311 (5) "Permittee" means a person who is authorized by a permit issued consistent with this chapter to perform work within the zones identified in section 2(1) of this act.

(10) "School"Roadway speedwork zone" has the same meaning as described in RCW 46.61.44046.63.210. (1) and (2).

(11) "School walkspeed zone" has the same meaning as described in RCW 46.63.210.46.61.440 (1) and (2).

(12) "Temporary"School pedestrianwalk route"zone" meanshas athe protected,same accessiblemeaning pedestrianas pathwayin designedRCW to46.63.210. maintain passage around or through a work zone.

(13) "Work"Temporary zone"pedestrian route" means ana areaprotected, ofaccessible thepedestrian publicpathway right-of-waydesigned affectedto bymaintain construction,safe maintenance,passage repair,around utility installation, excavation, scaffolding, painting, or anythrough similar activity requiring a permit.work zone.

(14) "Work zone" means an area of the public right-of-way affected by construction, maintenance, repair, utility installation, excavation, scaffolding, painting, or any similar activity requiring a permit.

(1) Any permittee performing work within the following zones,zones and where pedestrian passage already exists in those zones, shall maintain continuous and accessible pedestrian passage throughout the duration of the work:

(c) SchoolRoadway speedwork zoneszones; during school days as defined in RCW 28A.150.203;

and (d) School walkspeed zoneszones; during school days as defined in RCW 28A.150.203.

and (e) School walk zones.

2 ESSBSB 6311 (b) No practical method exists to maintain safe passage using temporary barriers, decking, scaffolding, or protective structures.

(6) For the purposes of this section, local agencies shall have the authority to make determinations using clear and objective standards regarding feasibility as cited throughout this section.

(c) Compliance with Americans with disabilities act standards for accessible signs in advance of decision points, surface, continuous clear width, curb ramp or blended transition, and detectabledetectible edging of channelizing devices;

(d) Physical separationprotection from vehicle traffic using approved barriers;

(3) The permittee shall maintain all temporary pedestrian facilities in working condition at all times.

3 ESSBSB 6311 (3)NEW TheSECTION. permittee shall maintain all temporary pedestrian facilities in working condition at all times.

NEW SECTION.

(2) If the permittee fails to comply,comply: the permitting authority shall provide notice and an opportunity to correct the issue of not more than 24 hours.

If the permittee fails to achieve compliance within the identified period, then:

and (c) Temporary pedestrian facility routes may be ordered corrected or replaced;replaced.

and (d) The local government may not be held liable for damages or injury incurred as a result of any lack of compliance.

p.(2) All local governments;

4 ESSB 6311 (2) Local governments that have not adopted standards for pedestrian reroutes and detours in construction zones as of the effective date of this section;

A city or town must comply with the requirements of chapter 47.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 11 of this act) when permittingp. any work occurring within a zone described in section 2(1) of this act.

4 SB 6311 permitting any work occurring within a zone described in section 2(1) of this act.

A code city must comply with the requirements of chapter 47.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 11 of this act) when permitting any work occurring within a zone described in section 2(1)2 (1) of this act.

A county must comply with the requirements of chapter 47.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 11 of this act) when permitting any work occurring within a zone described in section 2(1)2 (1) of this act.

5 ESSBSB 6311