Description
Good Afternoon. The sidewalk in front of my home at 87 Lent Road, Hamden, CT 06517 has several crack and divots in it. It is a trip and fall hazard. I do my best to trim it and keep the grass from growing out of the cracks, but the cracks are getting larger and larger each year. My mother is 81, and I am always nervous maneuvering her to car for her medical appointments as we have to pass by these cracks in the sidewalk. Anything you can do to repair these sections of sideway would be greatly appreciated. I have two (2) additional photos I can send over as well. Thank you for your time and consideration.
24 Comments
Hamden, CT (Verified Official)
Engineering Inspector (Verified Official)
ADIは、 Engineering Inspector (Verified Official)
Paul Di Grassi (Registered User)
Engineering Inspector (Verified Official)
Good Morning Paul,
Let me take a look and/or discuss with my boss. While I have only come across one situation where the sidewalk/driveway apron was poured first, then the driveway was repaved - the contractors did not wait long enough for the apron to cure hard and throughout and the asphalt rollers/trucks cracked the apron. Let me just verify everything to make sure your suggestion is or isn't the very best course of action. Thank you. MGK
Paul Di Grassi (Registered User)
Engineering Inspector (Verified Official)
Interestingly, about an hour ago I spoke to one of the design engineers who did my job in the past and covers me if I go on vacation or something. He/I have one question: Are you repaving the driveway apron, too? That may change the course of action slightly. But, his recommendation is to discuss with your contractor the possibility of including an expansion joint across your new driveway when it is repaved (at $0 cost! :) ), making absolutely sure the expansion joint is then covered over with liquid cold patch asphalt to prevent any moisture/water from seeping into the joint. This would benefit you - no cutting of your new driveway by the town when the town replaces that portion of the sidewalk. It benefits the town and me, if for any reason our sidewalk replacement efforts are delayed in any way/shape/or form - the unexpected things that could/may happen (Murphy's Law) that would conflict with Your and/or your contractor's timing and/or plans. MGK
Paul Di Grassi (Registered User)
Tommy (Registered User)
Hello Paul Di Grassi,
A driveway apron is the section of a driveway that's between the sidewalk and the street. It's usually shaped like a trapezoid and it's usually slanted so that it's flush with the street. Here's a picture of a driveway apron.
Please disregard all the various information in the picture. I just wanted to show you the picture for clarity.
I hope this information helps.
Paul Di Grassi (Registered User)
Paul Di Grassi (Registered User)
Engineering Inspector (Verified Official)
Understood. That is the normal process used. We do not replace sidewalks with asphalt. Asphalt would only ever be used as a temporary measure, on smaller areas, until concrete can be poured. [I have an interesting "challenge" on Newcastle Drive]
Tommy, thank you for helping out with providing Mr. Di Grassi with a great answer.
From the technical side of things, the engineer inside me would like to include a print of an apron to show what is going on under the surface. Please see attached.
Paul Di Grassi (Registered User)
Paul Di Grassi (Registered User)
Paul Di Grassi (Registered User)
Paul Di Grassi (Registered User)
Engineering Inspector (Verified Official)
Engineering Inspector (Verified Official)
Paul Di Grassi (Registered User)
Engineering Inspector (Verified Official)
Hi Mr. Di Grassi,
Since the original inspection was done last April 13th, let me reinspect your sidewalks so that I have the most current conditions and will therefore be able to make the best possible decision, with consideration to your mother. MGK
I do have a question: the asphalt walkout, can I remove it and not replace it, just replace with dirt/grass? [every little bit of money I can save will help out]
Paul Di Grassi (Registered User)
Paul Di Grassi (Registered User)
Paul Di Grassi (Registered User)
Paul Di Grassi (Registered User)