|
Sidewalks
The City of St. Charles has approximately 299 miles of public sidewalks
within the city’s corporate boundaries. City crews are responsible
for all of the public sidewalks within the right-of-way. The right-of-way
can best be described as the area which includes the street, curbs, parkway
trees and sidewalks. In areas which have sidewalks on both sides of the
streets, the right of way is usually from one foot behind the sidewalk
to one foot behind the other sidewalk.
The City’s sidewalk maintenance program is accomplished through
resident notification, our in-house yearly sidewalk inspection program,
and in conjunction with our street improvement program, which is also
referred to as our Motor Fuel Tax Program (MFT). The sidewalk maintenance
program is an ongoing, year-round program. Each winter and into spring,
designated Street Division employees walk and inspect every square of
sidewalk. Sidewalk squares classified as needing immediate attention are
addressed ASAP, either by grinding or by cold patching. During the construction
season, the first priority is to take care of sidewalks and curbs in poor
condition that are located on streets to be resurfaced that year.
Contractors help the Street Division with the replacement of sidewalk
squares that are in poor condition. Additionally, a contractor is used
to perform “mud jacking” on sidewalk squares that are out
of alignment. This is a process of introducing material under a sidewalk
square in order to raise the square back into alignment. This works well
in situations where the sidewalks are new, but may have settled causing
a potential tripping hazard. A vertical “trip hazard” of one
and one quarter inch (1-1/4 “) or greater is a safety concern.
The numerous trees located in the City right-of-way/parkway are the number
one reason sidewalks heave. City crews ramp over roots and narrow-down
sidewalks adjacent to trees responsible for heaving sidewalk, and have
had very good luck dealing with tree/sidewalk conflict in this manner.
In extreme cases, crews occasionally need to root prune. If this happens,
crews are careful to prune only what is absolutely necessary. The City’s
arborist monitors the process, plus does whatever else is necessary to
ensure the health of the tree.
Property owner replacement of a driveway sometimes generates concern
for existing hazards or sidewalks in poor condition. In these instances,
the Street Division will send a representative out to check on the problem
and determine what kind of repair is warranted by the squares in question.
Residents should call the Street Division at 377-4459 with questions or
comments.
|
