SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS

GRADING —Necessary excavations or compacted fill shall be completed as required. Interfering tree roots causing uplift may be removed within sidewalk limits, using care. The village is not responsible for the location of underground electric, gas, water, or sewer lines; downspout, stop valve boxes, sidewalk vaults, etc.

PORTLAND CEMENT CONCRETE WALKS —Sidewalks are to be five (5) inches thick and may be laid directly on properly compacted subgrade. A seven (7) inch thickness is required where driveways permit a vehicle to cross the sidewalk. If existing driveways have concrete walks, asphalt cannot be laid; however, asphalt is permissible over previously existing blacktop walks, but must meet existing grade of walks on both sides.

Concrete shall be class "C" which, briefly described, is 4000 psi, 28-day cylinder compressive strength with air entraining admixture to better resist surface spall and scale. If reinforcing wire mesh or fiberglass is used, one inch may be deducted from concrete thickness. Sidewalk must be four (4) feet or wider and sawed or tooled every four (4) to five (5) feet for expansion.

CONSTRUCTION - If required, excavation for the -walk shall be made to a depth equal to the thickness of the slab, and to a width of three (3) inches more than the width of the proposed walk on each side to allow room for the side forms. Forms may be wood or steel, substantial as to alignment. When curved walks are involved, forms that produce a smooth regular curve shall be used.

All exposed tree roots shall be trimmed at least three (3) inches outside the lines of the new concrete (below slab). If the subgrade is not even, it shall be smoothed, and then compacted by tamping.

All work must connect with the existing adjoining work in a reasonable manner. All curing shall be in accordance with American Concrete Institute (ACI) standards. Curing material may be carefully sprayed, by hand, to avoid overspray. Sidewalks must provide a non-slippery surface.

FINISHING UP —Remove the form strips and fill the space with well-compacted dirt. Dress to match the lawn space. Repair any honeycomb or chipped areas.

PATCHING —The village is primarily interested in safe sidewalks. It is possible, in some cases, to patch blocks of sidewalk that are defective, such as holes or broken corners. However, patches may deteriorate quickly, requiring further maintenance and additional expense, as well as present a poor appearance. For these reasons, the village contractor will usually replace entire blocks.

Raised joints may be cut down using a cold chisel or mason's hammer to a one (1) in four (4) maximum slope, or the danger may be eliminated by placing a smooth, well-compacted patch properly bonded to the existing concrete and beveled to a maximum one (1) in four (4) slope. If used, patch shall be patch mix and installed as recommended by the manufacturer, subject to approval of the Village Public Works Director.

APPROVAL - All sidewalk work is subject to final acceptance by the Public Works Director.

PERMIT - The village requires property owners and/or contractors to give prior notification of when and where they intend to replace or repair sidewalks. Permits for sidewalk work are available free of charge at the village administrator's office located in the municipal building.