BD, Will be asking engineering about sidewalk 3/14

Public Works - DA (Inspections) assigned this issue to Public Works - BD (Streets & Sewers)

Thank you for reporting your concern to City of Cambridge via Commonwealth Connect. We have reviewed the information you provided our staff and will be investigating this issue further.

I see that there will be gas line work on this block this week. In my judgment, the sidewalk is unsafe and requires repair at the earliest possible time. Please do let me know what kind of further assessment is needed to get this on the Public Works schedule. Many thanks, AB

Thank you for reporting your concerns about the sidewalk condition.

As you can imagine, the City has more need for infrastructure improvements than available resources. The City has a Five Year Street and Sidewalk Plan to prioritize improvements, available at www.cambridgema.gov/theworks/fiveyearplan to ensure that projects are coordinated and the highest priority locations are addressed.

The plan is updated annually and is based on the City’s utility projects, pavement management system, sidewalk condition assessment, coordination with utility companies, priorities from the Disabilities Commission, Bicycle Committee and Pedestrian Committee, and requests from residents to prioritize locations. We update the 5 Year Plan annually to make sure we are accurately prioritizing streets for inclusion.

While the City cannot guarantee that the reconstruction of this specific area will be able to be funded, we will evaluate it closely and consider your concerns as part of that process.

Please feel free to contact Dan Riviello, Community Relations Manager, at driviello@cambridgema.gov if you have questions or would like more information on the Five Year Plan.

I am disappointed with this response. Quite simply this is a very dangerous sidewalk, which needs to be replaced. It is a liability. Not only have I fallen on this block, but I have witnessed a number of serious falls due to the condition of the sidewalk (loose pavers, gaps, uneven surface, tree roots, etc). Many sidewalks in the neighborhood have been repaired and replaced, but this block (40-42 Kirkland St) remains a major hazard. I hope that Public Works will reconsider the apparent decision not to address this until the sewer work in FY20. Many thanks, AB

I was about to report the same sidewalk problems when I read this report. It is particularly bad for a bumpy sidewalk; I'm not sure most mobility scooters would make it, and it must be terrible to shovel in the winter. Would it be possible to do a temporary skim coat of blacktop? That would solve the immediate safety and accessibility concerns but be a lot cheaper than redoing the brick. Though I know it would make demolition harder, there are already black patches.

As you will see I have written a number of times about this situation. It does not seem appropriate to put off replacement of this sidewalk until 2020 given some of the serious safety concerns it raises, especially in inclement weather. I hope the city will reconsider the current schedule.

This sidewalk continues to be a major problem for pedestrians on this busy walking route. Is there a process for the Engineering department to reconsider the current schedule for replacement (2020), given the risks it presents?

Kirkland street is rescheduled for full reconstruction in 2021, but in the meantime we are taking steps to address critical sections of deteriorated sidewalk along Kirkland St. through our Misc. Sidewalk repair contract.

The City did a great job replacing this sidewalk. Many thanks!