Sidewalk Repair Program Charter Township of Canton Engineering Services
Sidewalk Repair Program History Canton lost a landmark case at the Michigan Supreme Court level in 1997. The Supreme Court has determined that Townships are responsible for maintenance of sidewalks located within a public right-of-way (ROW). The sidewalk ordinance and repair program was implemented in 1999 to reduce our liability from injury claims and improve the appearance of the community.
Sidewalk Repair Program History The program began with inspection of the oldest subdivisions platted in the Township. In the later years we consolidated subdivisions by area. The first cycle of the program covered 16 years. We have inspected sidewalks in all 154 platted subdivisions, totaling 16,353 parcels. The second cycle of sidewalk repair is planned to cover 10 years. Consolidated subdivision areas are depicted on a map in targeted zones.
Sidewalk Program Target Zones See Map for Targeted Neighborhood Areas 2015 ZONE 1 2016 ZONE 2 2017 ZONE 3 2018 ZONE 4 2019 ZONE 5 2020 ZONE 6 2021 ZONE 7 2022 ZONE 8 2023 ZONE 9 2024 ZONE 10
Sidewalk Repair Program Facts Every year the Township works on three (3) different sidewalk repair programs consisting of the past (warranty work), present (construction repair) and future (marking & quantities). Concerns about the program are typically handled as a service request. Service requests are tracked by software, providing electronic information to staff, prior to addressing. Sidewalk inspection for the following year targeted zone is advertised in our local paper and shown on our website. The area includes all commercial and residential parcels that are located along a public road right-of-way.
Sidewalk Program Inspections As inspections are done, defective concrete is marked & photographed. Quantities are then measured and charted by parcel ID. The inspector marks defective concrete with dots: (Red) dots indicate areas of Township responsibility (Green) dots areas of Resident responsibility
Code of Ordinances The sidewalk section is in Chapter 62, Article 2, in Section 62-31/38 inclusive. The detailed criteria used to determine sidewalk repair may be viewed on our website: www.canton-mi.org
Ordinance Criteria Sidewalk Dots? Here are some examples
Sidewalk Displacement Displacement of 3/4 inch or greater between any two slabs.
Spalling Sidewalk If, in any five-linear-foot of sidewalk, more than 50 percent of the surface has scaled off to a depth of one-quarter inch or greater.
Spider Cracking If spider cracking is visible and adjoining flag(s) need to be removed. Additives placed in the concrete (due to cold or hot weather changes), or used in the finishing process, may cause spider cracking. It is possible that when removing a defective flag, adjacent, unmarked flags with pre-existing spider cracks may crumble from the release in pressure that is currently holding the spider-cracked flag together.
Cracked Sidewalks If the sidewalk has more than two cracks of one-quarter inch in width (or more) in any two linear feet of sidewalk section.
Ponding of Water If the concrete has settled, allowing water to pond to a depth of three-quarters inch or more.
Back Pitch or Back Slope If any section of sidewalk is tilted from the outside edge toward the inside edge. The outside edge being the edge of the sidewalk nearest the street.
Utility Repair If a portion of the sidewalk is removed or damaged as a result of a utility repair.
Township Owned Utility Sanitary Manhole and Water System Gate Valves If the sidewalk is damaged as a result of a Township utility.
Storm Sewer Manholes Owned by Wayne County Sidewalk in the right-of-way that has a defect caused by a County Storm Water structure will be addressed by Canton Township for the safety of our residents. Only sidewalk flags that touch the storm manhole will be repaired by the Township. Any adjoining flags that need repair will be the responsibility of the homeowner.
Sidewalk Ramps Bringing into ADA compliance Ramps with concrete defects are brought into compliance per the American Disability Act. Sidewalk ramps will not be assessed to the adjacent property owner. Ramps are considered from the edge of the curb up to the key flag. Ramps that require adjustment in grade to meet the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (including the key flag) will not be assessed to the adjacent property owner. Ramps that lead across into a driveway or go nowhere, such as to a greenbelt area, will be removed and replaced with sod as required by Wayne County standards, only when defective concrete is present.
Medians & Common Park Areas Median sidewalk and common park areas with sidewalk fronting the road are considered home owner association responsibility. The cost for this repair will be billed to your association. The sidewalk flags marked within the median will be repaired and brought into compliance to meet the ADA Accessibility Guidelines. Ramps located along common park areas are considered home owner association responsibility.
Sidewalk Approach Apron It is the duty of every owner of property to maintain and keep sidewalks and driveway approaches in a condition reasonably safe for public travel.
Sidewalk Repair Program Incorporating a Master Gap Plan History In late 1999 to early 2000, a committee of sidewalk members came together prioritizing missing links of sidewalk. The exception on that list of missing sidewalk, were areas under active development. Between 2001 thru 2014 the Township completed approximately 6,000 flags/slabs of sidewalk gap. That equates to about 6 miles.
Sidewalk Repair Program Incorporating a Master Gap Plan Facts Locations of missing sidewalk links on worn paths are reported and placed on a list. Some of these locations have been shown on the sidewalk repair program map. The list, depicting missing sidewalk link locations, denote gaps that are to remain and those that are to be installed. A master gap plan from the list will be utilized to establish future installation for projects under review, approval or building permit application.
Sidewalk Repair Program Notification Public notification for the necessity of repairs is advertised. Estimate letters are mailed to the homeowner containing information about quantities and price in March. Estimate letters include notification of the public hearing date, homeowner responsibility, the contractor chosen, construction information including contact numbers and information that can be viewed on our website.
Sidewalk Repair Program What happens next? The Resident or Business Owner will have 60 days from the date of the Public Hearing to perform one of the following: Replace the sidewalk marked with green dots. All work must meet Canton Township Standards. Contractors must obtain a permit and inspection from the Canton Township Building & Inspection Services Division and obtain a Wayne County Permit for work within the rightof-way (ROW). This work must be done prior to Memorial Day. Do nothing and Canton will repair the sidewalk and invoice the resident for the work performed. Canton will have a contractor perform the work during the months of June and July. Invoices for that work will be mailed in the fall or winter.
Construction On June 1 st sidewalk construction repair will begin with an anticipated completion the end of July.
Sidewalk Program Conclusion The sidewalk repair program effectively corrects sidewalk defects. Defects occur due to age deterioration, cracking, disintegration, root lifting and construction work activities. Repairing these defects provides safe pedestrian travel for our residents, in a beautiful community that they and their children can enjoy for years!