Sidewalk Improvements

General Information

The Public Services Department currently serves Los Banos with ongoing, year round maintenance of city’s sidewalks and curb/gutter. All cement projects are programmed to include the replacement, installation, or grinding of sidewalks, curb/gutter, flatwork, retaining walls, ramps, foundations, signs, and monuments. The replacement of cement in the city right-of-ways must be prioritized by the severity of hazard. A condition survey is conducted annually throughout the city. Hazards are prioritized and re-prioritized based on current survey reports.

Priorities Areas

• High Traffic Areas - (downtown, schools, public facilities, etc)
• Handicap access
• Worst First
• New Construction

Concrete Maintenance Activities

Surface Grinding
Sidewalk that is separated by tree roots or ground shifting may be corrected with surface grinding. This is the most economical remedy. Surveys are conducted in known problem areas annually, and repair by this method is programmed into the schedule by the area’s priority.

Flow Line Grinding
Gutters that are holding water due to gutter being raised by tree roots can be grinded with a cement groove machine. A groove is cut in the gutter restoring the flow line for proper drainage. A visual inspection is required to establish whether grinding or replacement is the most efficient. The flow line which hold enough water to cause damage to the adjacent asphalt surface are given priority.

Replacement
Replacement of existing sidewalks and curb/gutter is based on safety factors established by Risk Management Standards and then prioritized as to the severity of each sidewalks safety factor. Cosmetic problems are lowest on the list of severity. Poor drainage problems are low on the list of severity except in high pedestrian traffic areas.

New Installation
The installation of sidewalks in areas where development already exists is the responsibility of the landowner. The landowner is responsibility for the materials and labor.