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1. When can I make minor repairs to the sidewalk?

You are encouraged to perform preventitive maintenance to extend the life of the concrete at any time, thus deferring the cost of repair or replacement. A narrow crack in the concrete (less than 1/2" wide) can be filled in with a quality concrete caulk such as DuPont's "Concrete and Masonry Sealant with Kevlar"

2. What do the colored dots and arrows on the concrete mean?

Each spring, City Engineering Technicians walk the project area, marking deficient sections of the sidewalk, curb ramps, driveway aprons, and curb and gutter. The markings are as follows:

White Dot: Sections have been marked to draw your attention to defects in the section; repairs on these sections can be made by the property owner.

White Line: These sections that have been marked are either heaved or subsided, Saw Cutting or Mud Jacking repairs are required. These repairs must be made by a qualified person, firm or corporation.

Pink Dot: These sections have been scheduled for replacement. These repairs must be made by a qualified person, firm or corporation.

In some cases sidewalk sections adjacent to a curb ramp are marked for replacement so that the slope of the curb ramp can be reduced to meet standards of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). The cost of these sections are covered by the City.

Shortly before the contractor is to begin concrete removal you will see new markings on the sidewalk. These new markings will be pink arrows showing the contractor where to make cuts and what sections need to be removed.

3. What repairs / replacements am I responsible for?

• The property owners are assessed the full costs of the rehabilitation and replacement of Public Sidewalk along the frontage of their property and, a 25 % credit is given for work along a side yard frontage. (1-8-1996)

• The City will pay 100% costs for the maintenance of Inter-Block sidewalks. (7-8-2002)

• The City will pay for 50% of the costs for the REPLACEMENT of sidewalk sections when damaged is determined to have been caused by roots from city trees. (9-5-2017)

• Curb and gutter rehabilitation or replacements are currently the responsibility of the City.

• The City will pay 100% of the costs associated with curb ramps, when required by ADA Guidelines. This will also include up to 15 feet of sidewalk that might need to be adjusted to make the slopes comply with standards.

• If a driveway apron is determined to be a safety hazard to the general public, and if it is currently surfaced with concrete or asphalt, the City will assess property owners half the costs to replace driveway aprons. Any new driveway aprons will be constructed of concrete per City standards. If driveway aprons are not currently paved, the full cost of the new concrete apron will be assessed to the property owner.

4. What are Obstructions?

As a property owner you are the maintaining authority of the sidewalk adjacent to your property. In addition to correction of structural deficiencies, the public sidewalk must be kept free of obstructions.

These obstructions are not limited to just removing snow and ice during the winter months. It will include issues like parked vehicles, signs, leaves, grass, flowers, plants and shrubs that are overhanging the sidewalk. In addition, limbs from trees located on private property must be pruned to a minimum 10-foot clearance above the sidewalk.

The City of Middleton will prune and maintain the terrace trees (between the curb and the sidewalk)- Please contact Public Lands at 608-821-8360, to inform the City Forester, Mark Wegner of the terrace trees that are in need of pruning.

5. When will the work begin in my neighborhood?

Three different contractors will be working in the project area. While project time lines and progress are weather dependent, it is our intention to pursue work in the following general time line:

Mud Jacking sections between June and early July.

Saw Cut sections between June and early July.

Removal and replacement of sections between Mid July and the start of the school year.

If you think the concrete work may conflict with something you have scheduled, please contact the project managers.

6. Can I hire my own contractor or do the work myself?

Based upon Middleton City Ordinance 8.03(2) sidewalk replacement work must be done by a person, firm or corporation whose qualifications to perform such work have been approved by the City Engineer.

As the property owner, you have the option of causing the work to be performed by a qualified person, firm or corporation. Any work caused to be done by the property owner shall meet City standards, and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The removal and replacement, Mud Jacking, and Saw Cutting of sidewalk sections will require a Street Opening Permit; this is a no cost permit for tracking projects. While the rehabilitation of the public sidewalks such as filling small cracks etc, can be conducted by the property owner and does not require a Street Opening Permit.

7. Can I hire the City contractors for additional work on my property?

You may contact one or more of the contractors yourself for any additional work such as your driveway, front walk, or patio. You may get a favorable quote because the contractor will be in the area and can coordinate your work with the City's work. Please contact an Engineering Technician at 608-821-8370 for contact information.

8. Will this work affect my invisible fence or lawn irrigation system?

The Public Right of Way typically extends 1' beyond the interior edge of the sidewalk (furthest edge from the road). The City does not permit installation of any items like invisible fence, lawn irrigation systems or other private improvements within the Public Right of Way. The City is not responsible for any damage to invisible fencing or sprinkler systems that have been installed within the Public Right of Way.

9. I have water ponding on my sidewalk, and it appears to be pitched towards the street.

If your sidewalk is pitched toward the road, and you still have ponding water, the adjoining grass either in the terrace or your lawn may have overtime filled in with dirt or soils. You can look at a number of options before the replacement of the sidewalk. Roll the adjoining grassy areas with a lawn roller to compact the soil. Remove soil from the adjoining area, or create small channels through the adjoining areas to allow water to properly drain from the sidewalk.