Good News on Sidewalks

Have you ever wondered why, if the sidewalk in front of your house needs to be repaired, you had to pay half of the cost? After all, sidewalks are on public property.

Well, now that has been changed. On February 25, 2009, ACHD Commissioners voted to change the policy that covers sidewalk repairs.

As of now, if the sidewalk was damaged by someone unknown, ACHD pays 100% to repair it. If the sidewalk was damaged by roots from a tree in the right of way, ACHD pays 100% to repair it. If a tree used to be in the sidewalk and the sidewalk was constructed around the tree, but the tree is now gone, ACHD will pay 100% of filling in the void.

However, if the sidewalk is damaged by a root from a tree on private property, the property owner is responsible. The watchword here is don't plant your trees too close to the sidewalk. They may be fine when they are small, but they do tend to get bigger.

Congratulations to Errol Morgan, ACHD, who came up with these commonsense guidelines.