Sidewalk Meets Concrete Truck Question

craigNeasttx · 03-24-2005, 10:37 PM

Ok...almost ready to pour addition slab. Here's a question for you experienced men. The only possible way to get a concrete truck backed up to where the new slab will go is to back over a sidewalk. Its a 4 ft sidewalk 4 inches thick. Not sure if it is rebarred or not. Probably not.

Any tricks of the trade on how to not break the sidewalk. A pump/boom truck is probably out of the question for the cost. We are talking about 8 yards of concrete.

Any idea's will be appreciated.

Craig

Teetorbilt · 03-24-2005, 10:51 PM

Where do you plan for the driveway? Cut the sidewalk there and if it breaks, oh well. BTW, check with the locals before cutting sidewalks.

craigNeasttx · 03-24-2005, 11:02 PM

Teetorbilt,

Thanks for the reply. Have a circle drive but its just iron ore base. The sidewalk crosses the entire front of the house and the lake keeps me from coming in from behind the house. So the driveway isnt a factor. Just have to figure out a way to hop that truck over the sidewalk.

Thanks again.

Teetorbilt · 03-24-2005, 11:35 PM

OK, Nother idea on the cheap. Old railroad ties, I can get them for about $10.00 ea. and you can work them into the landscape later.
One on edge should clear the curb, lead into it with one or two on the flat. Bridge the sidewalk with them
on theflat. Fair in with dirt, drive over with a regular truck to compact and continue filling in the low spots. If the driver doesn't bounce the truck, you might get by.

craigNeasttx · 03-24-2005, 11:52 PM

Yes sir. I think that just might work. You would think a railroad engineer would have thought of that. Ties arent a problem coming by. Thanks for the idea. Will let you know how it turns out. Will pour next week.

Thanks Again,

Craig

housedocs · 03-25-2005, 12:40 AM

Craig in lieu of or better yet in addition to the dirt fill, throw down some metal sheeting, or some sheets of plywood, something heavy like 3/4" over the top. We usually bridge over walks in a similar manner, just use scraps of 2"x screw together or else 4" and then lay the plywood or osb flooring works ok. I keep about a half dozen old sheets in the back of the shop for this kind of thing. Used to have a deck plate that I had, ....uh approriated from an abandoned factory that we salvaged bricks from during demolition, was just too good to throw in the scrap trailer. Stupidly loaned it out a while back & it forgot it's way home. :confused: What are friends for?!?

This is your sidwalk from the drive to the house right, not the one along the street? If it's the main sidewalk that was installed along the street those do have some reinforcing steel in them.