All cracked up? Sidewalk repairs in the works in Charlottetown

The snow is gone so sidewalk repair season is on!

The City of Charlottetown is now replacing many sections of sidewalks in the city.

Staff first begin work onstreets that are set for repaving, and then move on to other sidewalks. Barricades are put up to allow areas to dry, which usually takes about a day.

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"We've done some work on Belvedere, Nassau, Water Street, Richmond Street, Kirkwood that's pretty muchthe bulk of the ones that we've worked on at the moment," said Scott Adams, assistant manager of Charlottetown Public Works.

Adams explained demolition of the old sidewalk is the most time consuming, but if weather isgood each section should just take a day and a half to complete.

Rated by severity

The city rates sidewalks to determine which ones need replacing.

"We currentlyhave an employee who goes out and walks every sidewalk in the city of Charlottetown," said Adams.

"They are looking for things such as heaves, toe-catchers, broken concrete, cracking and than they rate them based on severity."

He explained the most severe areas get done firstThe city has budgeted $375,000 to repair sidewalks this year, that's a bit more than last year.

Winter damage biggest problem

The concrete sidewalks sustain most damage during the coldermonths.

"Concrete is not flexible so if we get a big frost, we get cracking or heavesbig chunks get taken out because of the freeze/thaw cycle," said Adams.

Adams explained the general goal behind sidewalk repairs is to make them safer and allow citizens to enjoy them.

"Overall I think in general we have very good sidewalks," he said.

"Just like any municipality you're going to have your problem areas."

Crews will be out repairing sidewalks in Charlottetown until late fall.

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