The House did not schedule SB 6311 for a floor vote in time for the bill to pass the March 6 opposite-house cutoff, making it no longer active this year.

City input helps shape new requirements for pedestrian passage in construction zones

February 20, 2026

A Senate proposal aiming to expand requirements for pedestrian accommodations in construction zones is making its way through the Legislature.

SB 6311, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D–Edmonds), requires continuous and accessible pedestrian passage through construction zones within 300 feet of hospital, park, and school zones (only during school days). The bill requires temporary pedestrian passage be provided on the same side of the street unless it is “demonstrated to be infeasible,” establishes rigorous standards for defining temporary pedestrian passage, and prohibits sidewalk closures except when a temporary route is not possible and no practical method exists to maintain passage using temporary measures.

Contractors must submit a pedestrian safety access plan for work conducted in the applicable zones. Permitting agencies, including cities and towns, can inspect work zones, issue stop work orders, and impose civil penalties for noncompliance. Finally, the Washington State Department of Transportation must adopt rules and design standards for pedestrian reroutes and detours.

In response to feedback from several cities and recognizing that cities and towns already apply standards largely in line with those in the bill, AWC requested amendments to facilitate implementation of the legislation and better align it with current practice. Our amendments were adopted and make the following changes:

• The new requirements are not applicable to local governments that have adopted standards for pedestrian reroutes and detours in construction zones as of the effective date of this legislation.
• The pedestrian passage requirements are limited to pedestrian passage where passage currently exists.
• Local authorities must use clear and objective standards when determining the feasibility of maintaining pedestrian passage.
• Local governments cannot be held liable for damages or injuries resulting from a permittee’s lack of compliance with the law.

SB 6311 passed off the Senate floor by a unanimous vote; it now awaits a hearing in the House.

AWC supports the goal of the legislation and thanks the sponsor for accepting cities’ amendments. We will continue to track the bill as it moves through the House.