[Ord. No. 10-2018, 19, passed 3-5-2019]
If damage occurs to concrete sidewalks adjoining newly constructed curbs, the permittee shall restore the existing sidewalks for the first full block behind the newly constructed curbs. If the sidewalks are not suited for repair, as determined by the Engineer, the damaged sidewalks shall be fully replaced in accordance with the requirements set forth herein.
[Ord. No. 10-2018, 19, passed 3-5-2019]
(a) 
A vegetative landscape strip is required when at least 50% of the sidewalk length along the curb is being replaced at a property. The landscape strip shall allow for a reduction in impervious area and reduce stormwater runoff into the street. The width of the landscape strip shall be at least three feet, unless otherwise permitted by the Engineer, and shall allow for a minimum sidewalk width of four feet for pedestrian traffic. The landscape strip shall be planted with one or more of the following: grass or approved street trees. Bark mulch may be used in the landscape strip, but decorative stone is prohibited.
(b) 
As an alternative to the landscape strip, at least one shade tree is required for every 40 linear feet of sidewalk that is replaced. The trees shall be planted in accordance with the specifications provided in Articles 159 and 1387 of the City's Codified Ordinances. The use of tree grates and cages must be preapproved by the Engineer due to the long-term impacts upon tree health by such devices. When used, tree grates shall be heavy-duty cast-iron, and cast to a form that is ADA-compliant.
(c) 
Brick or stamped concrete buffer strips may be constructed only with the permission of the Director of Public Works.
[Ord. No. 10-2018, 19, passed 3-5-2019]
The minimum clear width of sidewalk is five feet, not including space occupied by encroachments such as poles, trees, steps, fire hydrants, etc. In all cases, where possible, new or replacement sidewalk shall be placed to conform to the abutting sidewalk. The depth of sidewalk shall be eight inches, including a four-inch crushed stone foundation and a four-inch concrete slab.
[Ord. No. 10-2018, 19, passed 3-5-2019]
Sidewalks shall be constructed with a 1/4-inch-per-foot (2%) cross slope extending upward from the curbline to the building line, unless the Engineer approves a different cross slope due to extenuating circumstances. If an alternate cross slope is permitted, the sidewalk shall not adversely impact adjoining sidewalks or properties. At alley and street corners, the slope may be such as will best meet existing conditions as approved by the Engineer.
[Ord. No. 10-2018, 19, passed 3-5-2019]
Sidewalk foundations shall be formed at a depth of eight inches below and parallel to the finish surface of the sidewalk. The subgrade shall be fine-graded to the proper elevation and compacted to a firm and unyielding condition. All unstable material, if encountered, shall be removed to whatever depth required. A four-inch base of thoroughly compacted PennDOT No. 2B stone (AASHTO No. 5) shall be placed on the compacted subgrade. All areas within 12 inches of any structure shall be hand-tamped.
[Ord. No. 10-2018, 19, passed 3-5-2019]
(a) 
Where existing structures such as light standards, poles, fire hydrants, water valves, etc., are within the limits of the sidewalk area, the concrete around such structures shall be formed in a block eight inches wider than the maximum dimensions of the structure at the sidewalk elevation. Prior to placing the concrete around such structures, a 1/2-inch premolded expansion joint shall be placed around the structure for the full depth of the concrete in the walk. Sidewalk openings for trees are permitted, provided a minimum four-foot clear width of sidewalk. Sidewalk openings shall be filled to the level of the adjacent sidewalk with grass, sod or bark mulch on top of a dirt subbase.
(b) 
It shall be the responsibility of the permittee to reset or have reset all castings within the limit of his work. All sewer vent caps, water boxes, gas shutoff boxes, etc., shall be brought to finished grade. All water boxes, gas shut-off boxes, sewer vent caps, etc., if broken during construction, shall be replaced by and/or at the expense of the permittee.
[Ord. No. 10-2018, 19, passed 3-5-2019]
(a) 
The concrete driveway apron at depressed curbs shall start at the back of the curb and transition in grade to the driveway area. The change in grade between the road surface and sidewalk through the driveway area shall not exceed 8.00% where there is a non-walk surface (i.e., landscape strip) between the curb and sidewalk.
(b) 
A minimum four-foot-wide concrete sidewalk shall be required through the driveway area, and the sidewalk's cross slope shall not exceed 1/4 inch per foot (2%).
(c) 
Concrete sidewalk through driveway area shall be 4,000 psi, six inches in depth and reinforced with 6x6 W2.9xW2.9 welded wire fabric or approved equivalent. The maximum allowed spacing between joints shall be 10 feet.
(d) 
All traffic shall stay off driveways for a minimum of seven days.
(e) 
The design and location of all driveways shall be approved by the Engineer and Traffic Safety Committee.
[Ord. No. 10-2018, 19, passed 3-5-2019]
Forms shall be wood or metal, straight, free from warp and of sufficient strength to resist the pressure of the concrete without springing. If wood, forms shall be two-inch planks surfaced on the inside and the top. Forms shall have a depth equal to the depth of the concrete and shall be cleaned and oiled before concrete is placed against them. Forms that are warped, bent or damaged shall not be used. The forms shall be perfectly smooth on the side next to the concrete. The forms shall be accurately placed to the correct line and grade and rigidly braced. Prior to each use, the forms shall be thoroughly cleaned to remove cement, dirt and other material.
[Ord. No. 10-2018, 19, passed 3-5-2019]
Concrete sidewalk shall be reinforced with 6x6 W1.4xW1.4 welded wire fabric or approved equivalent. Concrete sidewalk through driveway area shall reinforced with 6x6 W2.9xW2.9 welded wire fabric or approved equivalent. Welded wire fabric shall be set two inches above the stone base.
[Ord. No. 10-2018, 19, passed 3-5-2019]
(a) 
Sidewalks shall be constructed in separate slabs 10 to 20 feet in length for closures. These slabs shall be separated by 1/2-inch transverse premolded expansion joints for the full depth of the concrete. Expansion joints 1/2-inch in width shall also be placed longitudinally where the sidewalk slab is constructed in contact with curbs, building foundations, concrete porches, concrete steps, etc.
(b) 
Expansion joints shall be sealed. Clean joints of all scale, dirt, curing compound, and other foreign material with a mechanized wire brush. Do not place poured joint-sealing material if the air temperature is less than 40° F., unless allowed by Engineer. Use heating equipment of an indirect heating type, constructed as a double boiler. Provide positive temperature control and mechanical agitation. Obtain the safe heating temperature and recommended pouring temperature from the manufacturer's shipping container. Place the material within this temperature range, but as close as possible to the recommended pouring temperature. Maintain a single material batch at the pouring temperature for no more than four hours. Heat the material only once. Fill the joint reservoir, created by the cleaning operation, with sealing material to a depth 1/8 inch below the top of sidewalk. Do not allow sealing material to spread over concrete surfaces.
(c) 
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 wide, they shall be scored longitudinally in the center. All scoring shall extend to a depth of one inch. Joint and scoring edges shall be rounded with a 1/2-inch radius.
[Ord. No. 10-2018, 19, passed 3-5-2019]
(a) 
After the concrete has been brought to the established grade by means of a strike-board, it shall be worked with a magnesium wood float until it is free from depressions and irregularities and provides a medium rough surface, as directed by the Engineer. Sufficient mortar shall be brought to the surface for finishing before the concrete sets. In no case shall dry cement or a mixture of dry cement and sand be sprinkled on the surface to absorb moisture or to hasten hardening.
(b) 
Ends of all sidewalks shall be finished square and to a vertical line and shall not extend beyond property lines or curblines. Side forms shall not be removed within 24 hours after the concrete has been placed or until such time as it will not be detrimental to the concrete, as directed by the Engineer. After stripping the forms, minor honeycombed areas shall be filled with mortar composed of one part cement and two parts fine aggregate. Major honeycombed areas will be considered as defective work and shall be removed and replaced.
(c) 
After the concrete has sufficiently hardened, the permittee shall evenly broom-finish the concrete so that the broom strokes are at 90° to the curb. Broom strokes on curb ramps shall be parallel to the curb.
(d) 
A swirl finish is also acceptable if the property owner desires such a finish. A wooden or rubber hand trowel or a magnesium hand float is acceptable for initial concrete finishing operations.
(e) 
Impressed cement concrete shall be permitted, if approved by the Engineer.
[Ord. No. 10-2018, 19, passed 3-5-2019]
After the concrete has sufficiently cured for a period no less than 72 hours, the spaces adjacent to the sidewalk shall be refilled with topsoil, mulch and grass in layers of not more than four inches in depth. Each layer shall be thoroughly compacted to the required elevation, except for the top 12 inches, which shall remain loosely compacted for planting. Soils shall be allowed to settle prior to the planting of vegetation and shall be no higher than the finished elevation of the sidewalk to assist in stormwater infiltration.
[Ord. No. 10-2018, 19, passed 3-5-2019]
Concrete sidewalks shall be protected and cured in the same manner as specified for curbs.
[Ord. No. 10-2018, 19, passed 3-5-2019]
In all cases where concrete sidewalks are to be replaced, the old concrete shall be completely removed over the entire area to be replaced. The foundation course underneath shall be excavated or filled up, so as to permit a new slab to be built upon it in accordance with the specification and of the thickness required for new sidewalk.
[Ord. No. 10-2018, 19, passed 3-5-2019]
(a) 
Brick paver sidewalks or buffer strips may be constructed only with the permission of the Director of Public Works. Brick pavers shall be set with a standard herringbone pattern at 45° with a string course along each edge. In nonvehicular traffic areas, brick units shall be set upon a one-inch bed of sand on top of a six-inch compacted 2A crushed stone subbase. Brick joints shall be 1/8 inch (+/-) and filled with tan-color polymeric sand. The top, bottom and sides of the crushed stone subbase shall be wrapped with nonwoven geotextile fabric and turned up against the back side of the curb. In vehicular areas, the brick units shall be set upon a one-inch bed of sand on top of a six-inch reinforced concrete slab with a six-inch compacted 2A crushed stone subbase. The concrete slab shall be reinforced with W2.9x W2.9 welded wire fabric. The bottom and sides of the crushed stone subbase shall be wrapped with nonwoven geotextile fabric. Geotextile fabric shall also be placed on top of the concrete slab and turned up against the back side of the curb.
(b) 
Where existing brick paver sidewalks or buffer strips are to be replaced, construction shall be in accordance with the above specifications for new construction, except that the placement pattern of the brick pavers shall match the existing pattern of the sidewalk or buffer strip to be replaced.
(c) 
Stamped concrete sidewalks and buffer strips may be constructed only with the permission of the Director of Public Works. The concrete stamp pattern, surface texture and color shall be approved by the Director prior to construction.