Sidewalk Construction & Repair

The subgrade shall be prepared by excavating or filling to the required elevation of the bottom of the concrete. The subgrade shall be well-drained and cleaned of all sod and organic material. Where necessary for the construction of ramps and drive approaches, the curb shall be cut for its full depth. Where necessary to cut or remove tree roots, adequate precautions shall be taken so as to protect exposed roots and preserve existing trees. Any material found to be unsuitable, such as muck, peat, marl, soft clay, and other such materials subject to frost heaving, differential frost action, or unable to provide adequate support for surface improvements, shall be excavated and removed from the job site and replaced with granular base. A minimum of two inches of granular material compacted in place is required as a base for sidewalk concrete.

The surface of all sidewalks and subgrade shall target a cross-slope of 1.5 percent, and shall not exceed 2 percent. This slope shall be directed toward the street. Sidewalk grades shall generally follow the top of curb elevation with a maximum longitudinal grade of 5 percent. Generally, sidewalks shall be located in the public right-of-way, two feet from the property line. Any deviations shall be approved by the Engineering Division.

The following table will help to determine the required sidewalk thickness and width.

If requested, the Engineering Division staff will assist with setting line and grade of new sidewalk.

ADA curb ramps can be challenging to layout and must adhere to all City standards and details. Contact the Engineering Division for assistance with ADA Curb Ramp construction.

Forms shall be straight 2x4 or 2x6 lumber or approved steel forms that meet the appropriate depth for the installation. They shall be securely held in place and lined up using a string line. Flexible strips may be used where necessary on curves. Upon request, the Engineering Division will inspect and provide preliminary approval after the forms are set, prior to concrete pouring.

The subgrade shall be thoroughly moistened and the concrete shall be placed to the proper depth. The concrete along the edges of the forms and joints shall be well-spaded. Concrete shall be struck off until all voids are removed and the surface has the required grade and cross section. The surface shall be floated and troweled just enough to produce a smooth dense surface, free from irregularities. All joints and edges shall be rounded to a radius of 1/4 inch with an approved finishing tool. Final finish to be made by troweling smooth with a steel trowel, after which it shall be brushed crosswise with a fine hair brush or broom.

Traverse expansion joints 1/2 inch thick shall be placed at every 50 linear feet of sidewalk, and expansion joint material 1/2 inch thick shall be placed between the back of curb and sidewalk or driveway approaches. Expansion joint material shall be pre-molded strip of bitumen filled fiber, shall be placed at right angles to the centerline of the sidewalk and perpendicular to the top surface, and shall extend from the surface of the concrete to the subgrade.

Contraction joints shall be placed at every 5 linear feet of sidewalk. They may be formed by the use of divider strips 3/16 inch in thickness or by cutting after floating a depth of not less than one-quarter of the thickness of the sidewalk. They shall be straight, perpendicular, and at right angles to the centerline of the sidewalk. When the sidewalk abuts buildings or any special structures, joint details shall be approved by the Engineering Division.

All materials used in sidewalks shall conform to the Standard Specifications of the South Dakota Department of Transportation, Section 460, and the following sections as amended:

Concrete, Section 462
Granular Material, Section 820
Joint Fillers, Section 860
Concrete Curing, Section 821

The sidewalk shall be properly protected from the elements, travel, and vandalism for the first 72 hours, except that pedestrian travel may be permitted after 48 hours. The contractor shall be responsible for the strength and quality of the concrete placed during cold weather, and concrete damaged by frost action and/or vandalism shall be removed and replaced at the contractor’s expense.

The City may perform slump, cylinder, or other tests as outlined in the SDDOT specifications. Upon the completion of the sidewalk, the contractor shall notify the Engineering Division for a final inspection of the poured sidewalk. Any sidewalk not meeting design or construction standards shall be removed and replaced.

After the concrete has cured sufficiently, but not more than three days, the forms shall be removed and spaces shall be backfilled with topsoil. The area between the sidewalk and curb shall be graded and leveled as required to provide a slope of 3/8 to 1/2 inch per foot toward the curb or roadway. The area between the sidewalk and property line shall be graded and leveled as required to meet the original ground surface. These areas shall also be left free of all rocks, concrete, roots, or other debris. Disturbed areas larger than 6 inches in width along the length of the sidewalk shall be seeded or sodded at the inspector’s discretion.

The disposal of concrete taken out is the responsibility of the permit holder. Disposal shall be made at an approved site.

The contractor shall perform their work in compliance with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) by providing proper traffic control devices for construction work.