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Engineering    Capital Improvement Program

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Sidewalk, Curb and Driveway Guidelines

SUMMARY AND INTENT OF PROJECT

The City of Des Plaines Curb and Sidewalk Program is intended to repair hazardous sidewalk and curb locations within the right-of-way. Driveway aprons are not included in the program. The locations are generated primarily by resident requests, and repaired after evaluation by the Engineering Department in a "first come-first serve" order. The purpose of the program is to repair specific locations of immediate concern, not necessarily entire blocks or streets. Additional locations will not be added due to proximity of scheduled and/or budgeted work. These locations will be added to the inspection list and be completed when budgeting allows. Any hazardous locations that are unable to be repaired due to available funds will be temporarily patched by the Public Works Department until funding becomes available.

EVALUATION NOTES

1. Sidewalks, Carriage walks, and Service walks.

a. Sidewalks with trip hazards, major cracks, significant spalling and other deterioration should be replaced.

b. Trip hazards are defined as more than 1 1/8" height differential. A rule of thumb is if you can easily catch your foot dragging it over the area, the square should be replaced.

c. Major cracks where there is a piece of concrete missing or the expansion joint has eroded away and a huge gap is left should be replaced. If there is a small crack (hairline) in the sidewalk and no settling or spalling has occurred, the walk should not be replaced. If it appears that further deterioration will occur or the parkway is beginning to settle, the walk should be replaced.

d. Areas that contain significant spalling or pitting shall be replaced.

e. Sidewalks being replaced shall be finished to match the adjacent areas.

i. If matching the adjacent areas results in improper drainage or new trip hazards, the Engineer shall replace the surrounding areas as needed. A minimum of one extra square of sidewalk should be removed and replaced in order to transition to the correct slope. This includes both service walks in the parkway and private property.

ii. Replacement of service walks will be allowed up to a maximum of 6 feet outside the right-of-way. If the condition of the surrounding area is so poor that this limit needs to be exceeded, the Engineer shall contact the resident to discuss the situation.

2. Curbs.

a. Curbs with cracking, settlement, drainage problems, or significant spalling and other deterioration should be replaced. Rolled curbs in good condition with no drainage problems will not be replaced.

b. Cracks in the curb should be replaced only if further deterioration is likely or there is evidence that the curb might settle.

c. Curbs that have settled and resulted in obvious low spots should be replaced. Curbs that have raised up shall also be replaced.

d. Drainage problems will typically require some survey. The Engineer shall determine the direction of flow and replace the area needed. The area may require a catch basin to be installed and tied into the nearest storm sewer.

e. Most curbs with significant spalling or deterioration have been damaged by snow plows. Typically large 8-12" pieces of the curb will be missing and these areas should be replaced. If the curb is in generally good condition and is missing a short section, only the missing section should be replaced.

f. New curbs shall be replaced as a depressed curb if the driveway apron is also being replaced. At locations where the concrete apron is in good condition, new curbs shall be replaced as a mountable or rolled curb provided that the flow line is at the proper elevation to provide positive drainage.

g. New curbs shall be finished to match the existing curb and/or apron elevations. Curbs replaced on over-laid streets shall be finished to match the existing curb, and over-laid with the appropriate thickness of asphalt.

h. Tie bars will be required for integral curb and gutter.

3. Driveway Aprons.

a. Typically, entire driveway aprons will not be replaced. Depending on the nature and extent of work around the apron and the existing apron condition, the Engineer may replace the apron entirely or only partially. This applies to both the curb and sidewalk work adjacent to the driveway aprons.

b. Apron replacement should be done only if one of the following conditions is met:

i. The existing driveway apron is old, cracking and deteriorated to the point where a patch cannot be made such as: asphalt driveways that are completely alligatored, concrete with cracks and settlement, or any material that has completely deteriorated or has obvious drainage problems.

ii. A utility structure such as a sewer manhole, water valve vault or water service box located within the apron and requires adjustment.

iii. The entire apron should be replaced where both adjacent curb and sidewalk are being replaced.

c. New aprons shall be constructed in concrete per current City standards.

d. Partial apron replacement should be done where the existing aprons are in generally good condition.

i. For asphalt aprons, approximately 2’ behind the curb or sidewalk should be repaired (either full depth or surface removal and replacement). The Engineer will determine the exact limits for repairs based on the condition of the driveway. This also applies to repairs on the private side of the driveway as necessary.

ii. For concrete aprons, the repairs shall extend to the closest joint (typically 5-6’ behind the curb or walk). If there is no joint, the Engineer will direct the contractor to saw cut the limit. Any repair section smaller than 4’ should be checked for proper drainage and shall not cause additional bumps or trip hazards.

e. The allowable limit of replacement outside the right-of-way is 6 feet. If the existing driveway condition is completely deteriorated, the Engineer shall contact the resident to discuss the situation.

4. Pavement Patches.

a. Asphalt streets should be repaired to fix any overcuts for placing curb forms or spalling caused by the removal and replacement of the curb. Depending on the existing condition of the street either a full depth patch or surface patch may be required.

b. Full depth asphalt repairs will require 4" of stone base and 6" asphalt in two lifts. The patch shall be a minimum of 2’ wide, and extend the entire length of the curb replacement area. All limits shall be cleanly saw cut.

c. Surface repairs will require only the 2" surface course to be removed and replaced. Width and length may vary depending on the extent of surface spalling that occurred when the curb was removed. This can be used for areas where the curb was removed cleanly with little or no damage to the existing pavement. Surface removal can be done by mechanical grinder or saw cut and removed by hand.

d. For concrete streets with asphalt overlays, the new curb shall match the existing curb, and the flow line shall be overlaid for positive drainage. Tie bars shall be drilled and grouted into the adjacent pavement. If an over cut is necessary, the concrete shall be poured monolithically with the curb and gutter. Asphalt shall be overlaid after the concrete has cured.

PRIVATE AND ADDITIONAL WORK

Private work is defined as any work on private property that is the outside allowable project limits and beyond intent of the program.

a. The maximum allowable limit to be included in the project (at no cost to the resident) is 6 feet outside the right-of-way. Any areas beyond this limit will be considered private work.

b. All private work areas will require the homeowner to acquire a building permit, hire a licensed contractor, and arrange for review and inspection through Community Development.

Additional work is defined as areas within the City right of way that are requested for improvements by a resident but do not qualify for repairs.

a. If the Engineer determines that the additional work does not qualify for repairs, the resident will be given the option to pay for the improvement. The Engineer will prepare a cost estimate agreement for the resident to sign.

b. If agreed to, the work will be included in the project, and the City will invoice the resident.

c. No additional work will be performed prior to the agreement form signed by the resident and received by the Engineer.

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