136-44.14. Curb ramps or curb cuts for handicapped persons.

(a) Curbs constructed on each side of any street or road, where curbs and sidewalks are provided and at other major points of pedestrian flow, shall meet the following minimum requirements:

(1) No less than two curb ramps or curb cuts shall be provided per lineal block, located at intersections.

(2) In no case, shall the width of a curb ramp or curb cut be less than 40 inches.

(3) The maximum gradient of such curb ramps or curb cuts shall be eight and thirty-three one-hundredths percent (8.33%) (12 inches slope for every one-inch rise) in relationship to the grade of the street or road.

(4) One curb ramp or curb cut may be provided under special conditions between each radius point of a street turnout of an intersection, if adequate provisions are made to prevent vehicular traffic from encroaching on the ramp.

(b) Minimum requirements for curb ramps or curb cuts under subsection (a) shall be met (i) in the initial construction of such curbs, and (ii) whenever such curbs are reconstructed, including, but not limited to, reconstruction for maintenance procedures and traffic operations, repair, or correction of utilities.

(c) The Department of Transportation, Division of Highways, Highway Design Section, is authorized and directed to develop guidelines to implement this Article in consultation with the Governor's Study Committee on Architectural Barriers (or the Committee on Barrier-Free Design of the Governor's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped if the Governor's Study Committee on Architectural Barriers ceases to exist). All curb ramps or curb cuts constructed or reconstructed in North Carolina shall conform to the guidelines of the Highway Design Section.

(d) The Department of Transportation, Division of Highways, Highway Design Section, is authorized and directed to provide free copies of this Article together with implementary guidelines and standards, to municipal and county governments and public utilities operating within the State.