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Posted on Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 11:20 a.m.

Snow melt, curb ramp design conspire to create enormous downtown Ann Arbor crosswalk puddles

By Edward Vielmetti

vielmetti-south-university-church-puddle-IMG00700.jpg

An enormous puddle at the corner of South University and Church Street in downtown Ann Arbor. Meltwater from the recent snowstorms has accumulated in the sidewalk ramps at this corner and other sidewalk corners downtown.

Edward Vielmetti | AnnArbor.com

Pedestrians in downtown Ann Arbor who haven't made an investment in waterproof footwear are dodging enormous slushy puddles of water that have accumulated at downtown crosswalks.


Street corner meltwater accumulation is a sure sign of spring, so be happy for that at least. Tracking down why it happens, and what can possibly make a difference in improving conditions, is a perennial problem.

Clear sidewalks, slushy streets

Municipal property owners are responsible for the clearing of snow on Ann Arbor sidewalks and the ramps leading up to crosswalks. The city snow desk at (734) 794-6942 (M-F, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) takes complaints of sidewalks that have not been cleared. Within 24 hours after the end of each accumulation of snow greater than 1 inch, the owner of every residentially zoned property must remove the accumulation from the adjacent public sidewalk and ramps leading to a crosswalk. Sidewalk maintenance enforcement is part of the city's Community Standards division, which is part of the Ann Arbor Police Department.

Even if the sidewalk has been cleared bare to the pavement all the way to the edge of the street, there may still be a considerable accumulation of snow and slush and ice on the pavement, enough to block a pedestrian crosswalk. The city snow removal operations are managed by the city's Field Operations division, which places its focus on clearing of streets for vehicle, not pedestrian, traffic.

Meltwater is storm water

Once snow melts, it's no longer snow - it's stormwater. Management of stormwater is done by the city's Water Resources Planning team, which is a part of the city's Systems Planning Unit.

The actual construction of the roadways and sidewalks is under the supervision of the Project Management Unit.

Sidewalk ramp design and meltwater puddles

The Federal Highway Administration's 1999 guide Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access anticipates the problem of accessible sidewalk ramp design causing puddling at intersections. From chapter 4, Sidewalk Design Guidelines and Existing Practices:

Storm drains and catch basins are normally placed where they will intercept surface water runoff. Installing a curb ramp at a point of strategic runoff interception can compromise effective drainage. Regrading the section of road or curb ramp location to alter drainage patterns can resolve some situations in which drainage concerns conflict with accessibility requirements. Ideally, inlets should be placed uphill of crossings or curb ramps to drain water before it can puddle where pedestrians are crossing. In locations with heavy rainfall, more frequent drainage inlets, more strategic placement of inlets, and basin pickups will also reduce the frequency of puddles.

Replace "rainfall" with "snowfall", and you have the local situation well described.

Many Ann Arbor sidewalk corners have been replaced with ADA compliant ramps, and more are planned to be completed, as part of a lawsuit settled in 2005 in which the city and the DDA agreed to bring all non-compliant corners downtown up to ADA standards by 2013. The June 4, 2008 DDA meeting minutes (PDF) documents the settlement.

Action

It's always appropriate to clear storm drains after a storm. A blocked drain can result in flooding, as stormwater and meltwater backs up into the street or your neighbor's basement.

Puddle management has to happen on a case-by-case basis. When sidewalk ramps are constructed, it is impossible to field test them for their snow meltwater handling. You might not discover until the following February that the grade of the pavement was too shallow to allow for proper drainage.

I sent a note to Ann Arbor DDA executive director Susan Pollay, letting her know about a particularly enormous puddle at the corner of Fifth and Liberty across from the AnnArbor.com offices. The pavement in front of that puddle had been replaced last summer as part of utilities construction for the Library Lot project (see LINKS: A Caterpillar 320 CL: Construction machinery up close at Fifth Avenue & Liberty Street, May 25, 2010).

In an electronic mail message, Pollay noted that "the particular puddle you mention near Herb David appears to be due to a grading problem in the street and crews will be coming out today to shave down the asphalt so there isn't as much water catchment."

If you see other downtown puddles that can't be drained by shoveling out the storm drains, make note of them. Even if property owners are diligent, it may be the design of the street itself that causes the puddle, and it may take a crew with heavy machinery to drain the puddle.

Edward Vielmetti writes about sidewalks and puddles for AnnArbor.com.

Comments

Thinking over here

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 8:58 p.m.

Thanks Ed!!

Edward Vielmetti

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 8:12 p.m.

State law on snow removal, as related by Washtenaw County Road Commission: <a href="http://www.wcroads.org/faq.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://www.wcroads.org/faq.htm</a> Homeowners should be aware that shoveling or plowing snow from driveways onto or across roads is illegal (Act 82 of 1978, vehicle code 257.677A) because it can present a serious traffic hazard to motorists. Instead, pile the snow behind the curb or shoulder on your side of the road. <a href="http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-257-677a" rel='nofollow'>http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-257-677a</a>

Thinking over here

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 7:27 p.m.

I thought it was against the law (or something) to push snow into the street (from your diveway or sidewalk), but my limited Google skills couldn't find the law or ordinance. Can someone tell me if it's true and point me to the webpage for it? Driving along Liberty or Huron can be an adventure as you go along bare pavement, then whoosh, slippery road from snow having been pushed out. Thanks!

mrblond

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 1:08 p.m.

I second @Mitch's comment. Ann Arbor doesn't not &quot;remove snow&quot;, the plowing and removal of snow from downtown and near downtown (medical center, south U areas) is embarrassing. Before I got my AWD vehicle i've had to push my car out of a street parking spot twice because the city doesn't fully clear streets - streets WITHOUT overnight parking. And walking or biking around downtown after a snow? Forget it unless you have yak traks and waders. Honestly, the city can do so much better than they do. additionally, some of the monster puddles are due to the monster potholes that are in just about every city street.

Brad

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 1:07 p.m.

Does it *require* a citizen to report a snow removal problem before there's any action? Are the city personnel somehow unable to SEE the many uncleared areas? If you want to claim you are a &quot;pedestrian friendly&quot; town you can't have a bunch of uncleared sidewalks.

blueeyedpupil

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 7:30 a.m.

Maybe someone who thinks this is no big deal or even worse a joke, could tell me where i buy rubber boots for my scooter? Its all electrical stuff underneath, not compatible with driving thru a crosswalk lake?

FattyJ

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 5:34 a.m.

Girls wearing ugg boots + the puddles = a great laugh

Edward Vielmetti

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 4:25 a.m.

@diagenes - Standing water is a source for breeding mosquitoes; fortunately, when the water turns into slush, there's not so much of a worry.

Diagenes

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 2:01 a.m.

Ask John Dingel to get a federal grant to fix the problem. He got $1 mil for a bus stop and $40 mil for the Stadium bridge. Why not Fed money for urban standing water control. I am sure the EPA can declare snow melt a navigable waterway and regulate the runoff to a more suitable area.

Edward Vielmetti

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 1:20 a.m.

@a2phiggy - from the snow page: To file a Community standards complaint you may either call (734) 794-6942, or e-mail CommunityStandards@a2gov.org.

Epengar

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 4:36 a.m.

But note that there is particular information you need to give them, including your name. &quot;citizens should be prepared to leave their name and number in case staff requires additional information. Caller's names and numbers are kept in strict confidence, and are only used to process service requests.&quot; I bet they don't act on anonymous complaints.

Edward Vielmetti

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 1:09 a.m.

Kai, I've been writing about sidewalks since the start here; e.g. <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/vielmetti/foia-friday-sidewalk-repair/">http://www.annarbor.com/vielmetti/foia-friday-sidewalk-repair/</a> My first puddle story, though. The South U puddle was all slush today, though I'm sure it will be liquid again if it ever thaws out.

Kai Petainen

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 1:41 a.m.

cool! today i watched a snowblower go back and forth slowly and clear a sidewalk. then, a sweeper came along to clean up the small particles of snow that were left. the sidewalk was spotless from end to end. as a sharp contrast, on the road next to the sidewalk, there were mounds of snow and cars had a hard time parking. as much as it is nice to have clean sidewalks, i believe roads should have priority, and it's sad to see a small sidewalk being worked on for an hour while the road is unparkable.

tim

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 1:06 a.m.

Remember those old black rubber (pull over your shoes) boots with the weird buckles ?

Kai Petainen

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 12:03 a.m.

&quot;Edward Vielmetti writes about sidewalks and puddles&quot; HA.... I like news stories with a good sense of humor.

BernieP

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 11:35 p.m.

My observation is that in general property owners have done a decent job of removing snow / ice. Ignatz nails it though, with the snow being pushed to the curbs in the best case, and into the parked cars in the worst case, there is nowhere for the water to go. PS - many thanks to the city for clearing the sidewalks along the Broadway bridge over depot &amp; the rail line.

a2phiggy

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 10:41 p.m.

It would be lovely if reports of failure to remove snow could be made electronically, either by e-mail or form. It would save time, money and the messages could be forwarded in their original format to the enforcing agency. And by the way, if I wanted to be treated the way A2 staff treats me by phone, I'd call my in-laws.

Epengar

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 4:33 a.m.

Reports of failure to remove snow from sidewalks can by sent to the Community Standards by email. Details and the address here: <a href="http://www.a2gov.org/government/safetyservices/Police/Pages/SnowRemovalonSidewalks.aspx" rel='nofollow'>http://www.a2gov.org/government/safetyservices/Police/Pages/SnowRemovalonSidewalks.aspx</a> I've never been treated rudely by city employees, over the phone or in person.

Bill Wilson

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 10:02 p.m.

Note to Tony, I've read Ed for a while now. While he's okay, you're missing the boat. Here's an idea: send Ed out to fill in these puddles. Get it on camera. Much more interesting.

Bertha Venation

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 10 p.m.

Guess I need a life jacket and some floats for my Hover-Round when crossing the street.

Mitch Ganian

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 9:38 p.m.

Ann Arbor does not really practice snow removal, it practices the pushing of snow from the paths of motorists into the paths of those who travel without motors.

KJMClark

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 11:06 p.m.

The first part is right. We don't remove snow. But there's nothing insidious about where they put the snow, they just don't have anything resembling a plan, other than make it easier for motorists. Pedestrians aren't even an afterthought, they're just utterly ignored. The funny (annoying) thing is that on the sidewalks, cyclists get the same treatment. The Food Co-op is a great example. Someone is always sent out to clear the sidewalks, at least partially. And where do they put the snow? In a heap on the bike parking. They even shovel convenient little paths from the cleared sidewalk to the on-street car parking, with the snow piled on the bike parking. Here too, they're not trying to be rude, they're just not thinking about it at all, even though there's a pocket park there that they could put the snow on. As gas prices keep rising, hopefully we'll see the value in giving these things some thought. But I wouldn't count on it. This *is* Michigan, after all.

Mitch Ganian

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 9:55 p.m.

This is snow removal. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqJmXXR8E0o" rel='nofollow'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqJmXXR8E0o</a>

John Spieser

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 8:53 p.m.

For an elderly person, trying to navigate the lakes, combined ice slicks and traffic at the same time could be quite a challenge. It seems like some community support for the physically vulnerable might something to consider as the &quot;Deuce&quot; grows. I know that larger cities, Chicago for example, with lots of pedestrian traffic have crossing support at hectic intersections. Hopefully you don't have to be 25 and adventurous to navigate Ann Arbor streets ! Maybe we should train some dogs to help !!

aabikes

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 8:35 p.m.

we have it so bad here in ann arbor.

rusty shackelford

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 8:21 p.m.

This is a logistical nightmare for anyone in a wheelchair, or just over a certain age.

Ignatz

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 5:14 p.m.

The problem I see with the curb ramp lakes is that there is still significant snow alongside the curbs themselves. This does not allow water to get to the drains, which are snow covered as well. A channel needs to be created to allow the flow of that water. That includes the lake at South U. and Church. I do have proper winter footwear, so I mangaged to not be bothered by that yesterday.

dading dont delete me bro

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 4:58 p.m.

ramp? hardly. i would say curb, curbside, sidewalk curb. i was expecting to read a story about expressway ramp. sorry, word fail.

Rod Johnson

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 10:22 p.m.

No, commenter fail. They're called ramps, like it or not.