[Adopted 12-13-1954 by Ord. No. 110 (Ch.
21, Part 2C of the 1990 Code)]
All sidewalks hereafter constructed or reconstructed
in the Borough of New Hope shall be constructed or reconstructed in
accordance with the following specifications:
A.
Cement-concrete sidewalks.
(1)
Description.
(a)
Cement-concrete sidewalks shall consist of concrete
mixed to the proportion by volume of one part cement, two parts sand,
four parts aggregate, and an approved bed placed on a prepared foundation
and constructed to the depth herein specified.
(b)
The aggregate for the bed shall consist of stone,
gravel, slag or cinders of approved quality. The aggregate, except
cinders, shall pass the one-and-one-half-inch screen and at least
85% shall be retained on a one-fourth-inch screen.
(2)
Construction methods.
(a)
Preparation of foundation. The foundation for
the bed shall be formed at a depth of eight inches below and parallel
with the finished surface of the sidewalk, unless otherwise directed
by Borough Engineer. All soft and yielding or other unsuitable material
shall be removed and replaced with suitable material, and the foundation
shall be compacted thoroughly and finished to a smooth, firm surface.
(b)
Placing aggregate for bed. The approved aggregate
shall be spread on the prepared foundation to form a compacted bed
four inches in thickness, unless otherwise directed by the Borough
Engineer. This material shall be compacted thoroughly. If cinders
are used they shall be wetted as directed. Satisfactory outlets for
draining the bed shall be provided.
(c)
Forms. Forms shall be of wood or metal, straight,
free from warp, and of sufficient strength when staked to resist the
pressure of the concrete without springing. If of wood, they shall
be two-inch planks, surfaced on the inside and the top; or, if of
metal, they shall be of approved section. Forms shall be of a depth
equal to the depth of the concrete and shall be cleaned thoroughly
and oiled each time they are used before concrete is placed against
them. Forms that have become worn, bent or damaged shall not be used.
(d)
Joints.
[1]
Sidewalks shall be constructed in separate slabs
30 feet in length, except for closures, or as otherwise directed by
the Borough Engineer. These slabs shall be separated by transverse
premolded expansion joints 1/4 inch in thickness for the full depth
of the concrete. Transverse premolded expansion joints shall also
be placed adjacent to existing structures where directed. The slabs
between expansion joints shall be divided into blocks five feet in
length by scoring transversely. Where the slabs are more than five
feet in width they shall be scored longitudinally in the center. Transverse
and longitudinal scoring shall extend for a depth of at least 1/3
the thickness of the concrete slab.
[2]
Premolded expansion joints 1/4 inch in thickness
for the full depth of the concrete shall be placed longitudinally
where the sidewalk slab is to be constructed in contact with curb.
[3]
Where existing structures such as light standards,
poles, etc., are within the limits of the sidewalk area, the concrete
around such structures shall be scored in a block eight inches wider
than the maximum dimension of the structure at the sidewalk elevation.
Prior to placing the concrete around such structures a premolded expansion
joint 1/4 inch in thickness shall be placed around the structure for
the full depth of the concrete in the sidewalk.
(e)
Placing concrete. The concrete shall be proportioned
by volume and shall be mixed and placed in accordance with general
practice. The concrete shall be placed four inches in thickness except
at all driveway crossings, where the sidewalk shall consist of six
inches of concrete reinforced with wire fabric meeting Pennsylvania
Department of Highway specifications. The surface shall be given a
granular finish by rubbing with a wood float, without the addition
of cement to the surface, or as otherwise directed by the Borough
Engineer. Unless otherwise directed, an edger having a one-fourth-inch
radius shall be used for edging all joints. The concrete shall be
protected and cured according to general practice. No concrete shall
be laid when the temperature is expected to drop below 40° F.,
unless approved heating devices are provided.
(f)
Removal of forms. Side forms shall not be removed
within 24 hours after the concrete has been placed. After removal
of the forms minor honeycombed areas shall be filled with mortar composed
of one part of cement and two parts of fine aggregate. Major honeycombed
areas will be considered as defective work.
(g)
Backfilling. After the concrete has been cured
for a period of not less than 72 hours the space adjacent to the sidewalk
shall be backfilled with acceptable material in layers of not more
than four inches in depth and shall be thoroughly compacted mechanically
to the required elevation and cross section.
B.
Vitrified brick sidewalks. Vitrified brick sidewalks
shall be constructed on a base consisting of four inches of concrete
on four inches of aggregate prepared as set forth for concrete sidewalks
except for the final finish.
C.
Flagstone sidewalks.
