Sidewalks

Every year the Village reviews a section of the Village for the Sidewalk Improvement Program. The following schedule is used for review then construction:
  • Fall - In the Fall prior to the construction year, the sidewalks for a specific section are reviewed and marked with white paint (circles and L's) to be replaced.
  • Spring - The next Spring, the same section of the Village is again evaluated prior to the beginning to construction to verify markings from the first review and identify any new issues.
  • Summer - Construction is then scheduled to be performed during the Summer school break.
In order to sustain and improve safety within the Village of Whitefish Bay, the Village has formulated a policy regarding sidewalk replacement. Sidewalks are determined to be problematic based on several criteria, most of which have been provided by the University of Wisconsin College of Engineering along with consultation with the Village’s insurance carrier, Cities and Villages Mutual Insurance Company (CVMIC). The following are examples of some of the criteria used:
  • Uneven Squares - An offset in the surface has developed that is ¾” or greater.
  • Cracks - A crack greater of ¼” wide or greater exists.
  • Spalled Surface - The surface has decayed creating an unsafe condition.
  • Deteriorated Joints - The joints have an eroded condition and are ¾” wide or greater.
  • Holes - Holes in the surface.
Unless the sidewalk is considered a severe hazard, the Village typically replaces problematic sidewalks in a specific area in a seven year rotation. 

Helpful Resources


Please contact Staff Engineer Spencer Charczuk at 414-962-6690, ext. 123 or by email with any questions.

Village policy states, “All sidewalk improvements shall be made in order to eliminate trip hazards as first priority. Efforts are made in every possible case to improve drainage where a trip hazard is being eliminated, however, drainage problems are not addressed in areas where a trip hazard does not exist unless directed specifically to do so by the abutting property owner.”