Blocked sidewalk a sign of indifference to city rules

Thestar.com
May 24, 2019
Jack Lakey

Why do a good job if nobody is holding you to it?

That seems to be the approach of utility contractors that dig up our roads and sidewalks, then leave the work unfinished while pedestrians are forced into traffic to get around it.

Our column earlier this month about a sidewalk excavation on Markham Rd. that forced people to skirt along the edge of a curb lane filled with speeding traffic, struck a chord with readers.

A note from Esther Reid said “this is not an example of contractor neglect you want it to be,” adding, “I see remediation efforts of the contractor, plywood cover, neat fencing hazard tape and large pylons.”

It was indeed a neat package. But city rules require that sidewalks not be closed without making provision for pedestrians -- and particularly people who use wheelchairs or motorized scooters -- to get around it without having to go through mud. And with endless rain lately, mud is a factor.

That didn’t happen on Markham Rd., so we’ll politely disagree with Reid and offer up a similar problem, but not as neatly bow-tied. Maybe we can get her onside for this one.

Elizabeth MacGregor also read that column, prompting her to drop us a line about work involving a sidewalk and a culvert next to it at the corner of Tromley Dr. and Kuhl Ave., near Eglinton Ave. W. and Martin Grove Rd.

“It started with contractors blocking a culvert last summer, creating flooding on the street,” said MacGregor. “Calls to the city finally got some action,” but “two gaping holes” were left throughout the fall and winter.

“Workers recently returned, replaced the pipes, rebuilt the sidewalk and never returned,” she said, adding it’s been left in a sorry state of repair for several weeks.

“It’s across from a school, making kids walk in the middle of the road, navigating parent vehicles at the same time.”

The situation goes to the heart of the city’s enforcement issue. Without enough inspection capacity to hold contractors to the rules, they’ll do what they want.

STATUS: Susan Pape, a spokesperson for the city, emailed to say “the City has been in contact with the contractor and they have committed to complete the remaining work beginning Friday, May 24. Last fall, the City investigated this area and found that the contractor had partially blocked off the existing culvert when placing sod in the ditch. Furthermore, the existing culvert had deteriorated and was partially collapsed which also contributed to the flooding concerns. Due to the early onset of winter, the contractor was unable to make the repairs until spring. Work began in early May to replace the culvert and sidewalk above it. The sidewalk concrete was poured and the contractor now needs to remove the forms and other construction materials to complete the restoration.”