Through the sidewalk replacement program, the City of Palo Alto hires contractors to repair and replace damaged sidewalks, and to improve access for disabled people. The City attempts to obtain economical bid prices by restricting the work to designated areas each year. By the year 2015, the current cycle of the sidewalk replacement program should have reached all areas of the City, and a new cycle of sidewalk maintenance will begin. The City also has a “Hot Spot” program to handle sidewalk and curb ramp requests outside of these areas.  “Hot Spot” priority will be based upon the severity of the damage.

Replacement of sidewalk by contractors is based upon the safety of the sidewalk, the structural integrity of the sidewalk, and the requirement for access by the disabled. Curb (wheelchair) ramps and detectable warning surfaces (truncated domes) will be installed at each intersection. Where sidewalk, curb, and gutter are integral (one piece), all three items may be removed and replaced at the same time if needed.

The major causes of sidewalk damage are uplifting by tree roots, vehicles (especially trucks) driving on the sidewalk, and deterioration due to age. When sidewalk is replaced, tree roots under the sidewalk are removed to a depth of approximately eight inches, and in some cases a root barrier is installed to the depth of eighteen inches to retard the regrowth of roots under the sidewalk. The entire sidewalk replacement process, from the sidewalk removal to the final restoration, may require up to two weeks at each location, weather permitting.

The annual sidewalk replacement project may include one or more phases, with each phase under a separate contract.

Construction Notice

• Scope of Work: Sidewalk, driveway, curb ramp, curb, gutter, asphalt pavement, catch basin removal & reconstruction, and concrete with asphalt overlay pavement.
• Typical Work Hours/Days: 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. / Monday through Friday.
• Please see below for additional information pertaining to this year's project.

City Representation

• Project Manager: Matt Raschke 650-496-5937
• Project Engineer: Jim Amores 650-496-5939; Call #458
• Inspector: Roger Nguy 650-496-6913; Cell: 650-833-8165; Call #452