Any person constructing a sidewalk on a public right-of-way within the corporate limits of the city shall conform to the current Illinois Department of Transportation Standard Specifications for Portland Cement Concrete Sidewalks, and in addition shall meet the following specifications, unless exempted by Council action:
(A) Subgrade preparation. Concrete sidewalk may be constructed on natural, undisturbed soil, free from undecayed organic material, provided the soil has been rolled or compacted in accordance with the above referenced specifications. Undisturbed soil is soil which has not been moved, trenched, or excavated upon during the previous five calendar years. At locations where the soil has been moved, trenched, or excavated upon, the soil for the full width of the sidewalk shall be removed for a depth of six inches and replaced with aggregate. The subgrade shall then be prepared as described above.
(B) Reinforcement. Wire mesh of #12 gauge shall be used at all residential driveway crossings and in front of commercial establishments. Reinforcing bars of 3/8 inches diameter shall be used at alley and business or commercial driveway crossings. One reinforcing bar shall be required for each foot of sidewalk width.
(C) Joints.
(1) Expansion joints shall be constructed and spaced in accordance with the specifications referenced above.
(2) Contraction joints shall be provided in the finished slab by construction of grooves in the sidewalk surface at right angles to the sidewalk. The grooves shall extend 1/4 the depth of the sidewalk, shall be not less than 1/8 inch nor more than 1/4 inch in width and shall be edged with a tool having a 1/4 inch radius. The contraction joints shall be constructed on four-foot intervals.
(D) Depth. Thickness of the sidewalk where driveways do not cross shall be four inches measured depth. Where driveways cross the sidewalk the measured depth shall be seven inches minimum.
(E) Width. All sidewalks on all streets and avenues within the city shall not be laid less than four feet in width.
(F) Outer Edge. The outer edge of the finished surface shall be parallel with the inner edge, and shall be lower than the inner edge by 1/4 inch for every foot of width.
(G) Finish. The finish of all sidewalks shall be a rough broom finish.
(‘69 Code, § 23-24) (Ord. 67-0-13, passed 12- 26-67; Am. Ord. 72-0-26, passed 8-28-72; Am. Ord. 77-0-9, passed 11-28-77) Penalty, see § 52.99