[Adopted 6-21-1999 by Ord. No. 411]
This article shall be known and may be cited
as the "Tobyhanna Township Sidewalk and Curb Specifications Ordinance."
All curbs and sidewalks shall be constructed
or reconstructed in accordance with the terms and provisions of this
article. It shall be the duty of all owners of real estate, contractors,
subcontractors, mechanics and laborers to comply with this article
in the construction or reconstruction of curbs and sidewalks within
the township.
A.
Concrete. All concrete used shall be true portland
cement and shall meet the requirements of the latest standard specifications
for portland cement as adopted by the American Society for Testing
and Materials. No type of cement shall be substituted without the
written approval of the Township Engineer.
B.
Coarse aggregate. Coarse aggregate shall consist of
stone and shall meet the physical requirements specified in Table
A and Table B and the size and grading requirements as indicated in
Table C for No. 2 or 2B coarse aggregate, as specified in the latest
revision of the specifications issued by the Department of Transportation,
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, also known as "Form 408," unless otherwise
approved, in writing, by the Township Engineer.
C.
Fine aggregate. Fine aggregate shall consist of natural
sand or manufactured sand from the controlled mechanical breakdown
of stone into sound, cubical-shaped particles or from the controlled
mechanical breakdown of conglomerate sandstone to individual grain
size or white, fine aggregate, consisting of calcite, white quartz
or silica, free from discoloring materials. It shall be composed of
hard, durable grain thoroughly cleaned by washing, free from harmful
amounts of clay or silt, vegetation and other substances determined
to be deleterious. When dry, all parts of fine aggregate shall pass
through a three-eighths-inch sieve.
D.
Cement concrete. Cement concrete shall comply with
the following requirements:
(1)
Description. Cement concrete shall consist of portland
cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate, water and admixtures and
shall conform to the materials, design and control requirements specified
for Class A cement concrete as set forth in the latest revision of
specifications issued by the Department of Transportation, Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, known as "Form 408," unless otherwise approved, in
writing, by the Township Engineer.
(2)
Proportioning. The minimum cement factor shall be
6.00 bags per cubic yard of concrete. The quantity of water used per
bag of concrete shall be the minimum to obtain a satisfactory, workable
concrete as determined by the Township Engineer, but shall not exceed
5.6 gallons, including the free water in the aggregates. Number 2B
coarse aggregate shall be used in this concrete. The proportions of
fine and coarse aggregate per bag of concrete shall comply with the
requirements for Class A cement concrete specified in Section 704.1(g)-2A
of the latest revision of specifications issued by the Department
of Transportation, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, known as "Form 408,"
unless otherwise specified, in writing, by the Township Engineer.
(3)
Consistency. The mixed concrete shall be of uniform
consistency. The quantity of water used shall be the minimum to obtain
a satisfactory, workable concrete with the lowest allowable slump
consistent with practicable workability of the concrete as determined
by the Township Engineer. The allowable slump determined in accordance
with PTM No. 600 shall be between one inch and three inches.
(4)
Design strength of concrete. The concrete design mix,
when molded, cured and tested in accordance with the procedures employed
by the Department of Transportation, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
shall meet the minimum compressive strength of 3,300 pounds per square
inch in 28 days. Test cylinders and samples shall be supplied upon
request of the Township Engineer.
(5)
During cold or freezing weather, calcium chloride
may be added to concrete, but not in excess of two pounds per bag
of cement.
(6)
If transit-mix concrete is used, the supplier shall
be able to certify compliance with the above requirements at the request
of the Township Engineer.
The construction or reconstruction of sidewalks
shall be in accordance with these specifications and in conformity
to the lines, grades and dimensions approved by the Township Engineer.
A.
Concrete. All sidewalks shall be of one-coarse cement concrete construction of Class A cement concrete as specified in § 128-14D.
B.
Dimensions. Concrete sidewalks shall have the dimensions
as set forth on a drawing prepared by the Township Engineer showing
standard dimensions. This drawing shall be available for inspection
at the Tobyhanna Township Municipal Building.
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 nominal two-inch planks surfaced on the inside and the top; if
of metal, they shall be of approved section. Forms shall have a depth
equal to the depth of the concrete and shall be thoroughly cleaned
and oiled before the concrete is placed against them. Forms that are
worn, bent or damaged shall not be used.
D.
Preparation of foundation.
(1)
Excavation shall be as required, and the foundation
shall be formed at a depth of eight inches below and parallel with
the finished surface of the sidewalk. When directed, unsuitable material
shall be removed. The foundation shall be thoroughly compacted and
finished to a firm, even surface and moistened if required.
(2)
Placing aggregate for bed. Aggregate shall be spread
on the prepared foundation to form a thoroughly compacted bed four
inches deep.
E.
Joints. Sidewalks shall be constructed in separate
slabs not exceeding 20 feet in length, except for closures. The slabs
shall be separated by a vertical joint for the full width and full
thickness of the slab. A one-half-inch expansion joint shall be provided
between each section of sidewalk and shall be filled with approved
joint filler for the full length and thickness of the section. Expansion
joints shall also be placed adjacent to the existing structures when
directed by the Township Engineer and shall be placed longitudinally
where the sidewalk is to be constructed in contact with a curb and
at such other places as may be directed by the Township Engineer.
F.
Finish. After the concrete is poured into the forms,
it shall be puddled and spaded so as to ensure a thorough mixture,
eliminate air pockets and create uniform and smooth sides. After the
concrete has set sufficiently, the forms shall be removed and the
top side shall be finished with a wood float or brush and shall be
edged at all joints with a one-fourth-inch edging tool to make a uniform
finished surface. The concrete shall be cured with either an application
of an approved curing compound or covered with a polyethylene sheet
covering.
G.
Backfilling. After the concrete has been cured for
at least 72 hours, the spaces adjacent to the sidewalks shall be backfilled
with approved materials in layers of not more than four inches in
depth, which shall be thoroughly compacted mechanically to the required
elevation and cross section.
The construction or reconstruction of curbs
shall be in accordance with the specifications and in conformity to
the lines and grades established by the Township Engineer.
A.
Concrete. The curb shall be made of cement concrete and shall be of the proportion and mix as specified in § 128-14D of this article.
B.
Forms. Forms for the curb shall be of metal, except
that wood forms may be used on sharp curves and short tangent sections
when approved, in writing, by the Township Engineer. Forms shall be
straight, free from warp and of sufficient strength when staked to
resist the pressure of the concrete without springing. At least three
stakes shall be placed for each 10 feet of form. Metal forms shall
be of approved section and shall have a flat surface on top, and wood
forms, when authorized, shall be nominal two-inch surface planks.
These forms shall be of a depth equal to the depth of the curb, designed
to permit secure fastening of the face and back forms at the tops.
These fastenings shall be constructed in a manner that will not obstruct
satisfactory finishing and edging of the top of the curb but will
permit removal of the inside or face forms. All forms and templates
shall be thoroughly cleaned and treated with an approved material,
as required, to prevent the concrete from adhering thereto. Oil, bituminous
paper or other material which will adhere to or discolor the concrete
shall not be used. Forms and templates which are worn, bent, warped
or broken shall not be used. The forms shall be accurately set to
line and grade in a manner to prevent settlement or displacement.
C.
Excavation. Excavation shall be made to the depth as required in § 128-15D of this article, and the material upon which the curb is to be constructed shall be compacted to a firm, even surface.
D.
Placing and finishing concrete. The concrete shall
be placed in the forms, and horizontal layers are not to exceed five
inches and spaded sufficiently to eliminate all voids. An approved
vibrator may be used when permitted by the Township Engineer. When
indicated or directed, drainage openings shall be made through the
curb at the elevation of the size required. The curb shall be depressed
as indicated or directed. The top surface of the curb shall be finished
true to line and grade in a smooth, neat and even manner by means
of wood floats, and the edges of the face and back shall be rounded
to a radius of not more than 3/4 of an inch and 1/4 of an inch, respectively,
while the concrete is still plastic. The finished curb shall have
a surface free from voids and honeycomb. Any additional surface finishing
required shall be performed immediately after extrusion.
E.
Joints and bar dowels. The curb shall be constructed
in uniform lengths or sections of 20 feet, except where shorter sections
are necessary for closures or curves, but no section shall be less
than four feet. Joints shall be placed between sections of the curb
at intervals of not more than 20 feet. These joints shall be at least
1/4 of an inch and shall be filled with prepared strips of fiber matrix
and bitumen at least 1/4 of an inch in thickness, cut to conform to
the cross section of said curb. When a curved curb joins with a tangent
curb, at curb returns and on sharp curbs where directed, there shall
be embedded in the concrete two bar dowels No. 4 size and 24 inches
in length. The bar shall be placed three inches and 12 inches, respectively,
below the top of the curb and in the center of its width and shall
extend 12 inches into the curb on each side of the joint. The portions
of the bars extending into the tangent curb shall be rendered bondless
with a coating of approved material and enclosed, in part, in an approved
tube or caps which will provide a positive clearance pocket of at
least 1/2 inch.
F.
Removal of forms. When the concrete has set sufficiently,
the forms shall be removed. All joints in the curb shall be opened
from top to bottom immediately after the forms are removed, and the
edges adjacent to the joints shall be sharp and clean-cut. After the
forms are removed, minor defects shall be filled with mortar composed
of one part of cement and two parts of fine aggregate.
G.
Curing. The curb shall be cured with either an application
of an approved curing compound or covered with a polyethylene sheet
covering and sealed completely on both sides of the curb by weights
for a period of three days.
H.
Backfilling. After the concrete has sufficiently set,
the spaces in front and back of the curb shall be backfilled with
approved materials in layers of not more than six inches in depth.
The material shall be thoroughly compacted in layers of not more than
six inches.
I.
Dimensions. Concrete curb and wedge curb shall have
the dimensions as set forth on a drawing prepared by the Township
Engineer showing standard dimensions. This drawing shall be available
for inspection at the Tobyhanna Township Municipal Building.
J.
Depressed curb. Depressed curb shall be required in
all such locations and instances where the Township Engineer shall
determine that its use is appropriate and warranted. Dimensions for
depressed curb shall be as set forth on a drawing prepared by the
Township Engineer showing standard dimensions for the same. This drawing
shall be available for inspection at the Tobyhanna Township Municipal
Building.
K.
Curb returns.
When it is necessary to replace an existing
standard curb with a depressed curb at a driveway or to replace a
depressed curb, the section of standard curb or depressed curb to
be replaced, as the case may be, shall be removed by means of a masonry
saw, resulting in a smooth, vertical cut to the entire depth of the
curb. The depressed section to be installed shall be poured to the
full length as required for standard curb, less the allowance for
the depression, as set forth in this article. Expansion joints as
specified in this article shall be placed between the new and remaining
curb sections.
Any deviation from the regulations set forth
in this article are subject to the written approval of the Township
Engineer or the Township Supervisors.
A.
Before constructing or reconstructing any curb or
sidewalk, it shall be the duty of all owners of real estate, contractors,
subcontractors, mechanics and laborers to secure the necessary permit
and line and grade from the township, authorizing the requested construction
or reconstruction.
B.
It shall be the duty of every owner of real estate,
previous to the construction or reconstruction of curbing or sidewalks,
footways or gutters on any street or alley in the township, to make
application for a permit to the township in order to fix the line
and grade for the construction or reconstruction of curbing, sidewalk
or gutters. Such permit, when duly issued by the township, shall be
sufficient authority for such owner or his contractor, subcontractor,
mechanic or laborer to commence and complete along such lot or ground
as may be described in such permit and in accordance with the regulations,
rules and specifications fixed and established by this article, and
none other, to construct or reconstruct sidewalks or gutters for which
such permit has been granted. Grade stakes and offset stakes must
be approved by the Township Engineer at the time of issuance of the
permit. The township will be given five days' notice prior to the
date said owner wishes to commence construction so that there will
be sufficient time to place the construction stakes.
The fee for such permit shall be set by resolution
of the Township Supervisors, which fee schedule shall be posted for
public inspection in the office of the Township Manager and shall
be based on cost. When sidewalks or curbs are constructed or reconstructed
simultaneously, only one permit and fee shall be required.
A.
If any sidewalk or curb thereafter constructed or
reconstructed is not constructed or reconstructed in conformity to
the lines and grades established by the Township Engineer, it shall
be the duty of the person laying the same, upon notice from the Township
Engineer or Township Manager, so to alter and construct the same as
to conform to the official lines and grades. Failure within five days
after such notice to comply with said notice and the requirements
of this article shall be a violation of this article, and each day's
neglect and refusal to comply with the terms of said notice shall
constitute a separate offense.
B.
Any person who violates or permits a violation of
this article shall, upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement
proceeding commenced by the township before a District Justice, pay
a fine of not more than $600, plus all court costs, including reasonable
attorney's fees, incurred by the township in the enforcement of this
article. No judgment shall be imposed until the date of the determination
of the violation by the District Justice. If the defendant neither
pays nor timely appeals the judgment, the township may enforce the
judgment pursuant to the applicable Rules of Civil Procedure. Each
day a violation exists shall constitute a separate offense. Further,
the appropriate officers or agents of the township are hereby authorized
to seek equitable relief, including injunction, to enforce compliance
herewith.
