NEW SIDEWALK RATING SYSTEM TO PROVIDE MORE EFFECTIVE REHABILITATION

The City of Saskatoon has invested in a new objective sidewalk rating system which will provide data on the condition of all city sidewalks and steer future preservation, rehabilitation and maintenance programs.

“This is the first time in the City’s history that we will have access to a snapshot of our entire sidewalk infrastructure via an objective, technology-based assessment system,” says Rob Frank, Manager of Asset Preservation for Major Projects. “An increase in funding and an expanded commitment to sidewalks has allowed us to make this critical investment.”

This year, the City’s funding for sidewalk repairs and preservation increased to $2.1 million, from $300,000 just four years ago. A further funding increase to $2.7 million is expected in 2016. These investments will enable the City to make significant improvements to the city-wide sidewalk infrastructure.

Currently, sidewalk preservation treatments are completed on a priority basis. Sidewalks adjacent to roadway surface treatment locations are completed first, in order to rejuvenate the street corridors as a whole. The three main types of repair and maintenance include replacing severely deteriorated sidewalks and curbs, saw-cutting off trip ledges, and crack-filling cracked concrete. In addition, City crews inspect and repair hundreds of reported sidewalk locations year-round to reduce the risk of tripping and injuries from severe cracks, dips and exposed tree roots.

The City currently has an inventory of 1,932 km of sidewalk and 2,280 km of curbs. For the 2015 construction season, the following work is planned:

• 17.8 km of crack-filling
• 6.3 km of curb replacement
• 5.4 km of full sidewalk panel replacement
• 1.7 km of trip ledge repairs

“When the data has been fully collected, we’ll be able to run analysis over the winter,” says Frank. “We expect to be in a good position to present some new options for sidewalk rehabilitation and maintenance in time for the 2016 construction season.”

Data collection is completed via raters that walk the city’s sidewalk infrastructure while inputting data on tablets according to pre-determined, objective criteria set out by City engineers. The budget set to collect the baseline data of the entire city is $350,000. The result of the new rating system will be the development of a cost-effective and proactive approach to city-wide sidewalk rehabilitation and maintenance programs.

A complete overview on sidewalk treatment can be found at saskatoon.ca/sidewalks.