The Elevated Berm
The construction of a berm added height to the raised alley surface.
In their rushed end-of-project work, the parties associated with the September 2017 Alley Project left broken concrete in the alleyway and then poured an excessive amount of asphalt which raised the alley surface. Then they built a berm on top. A drop-down from the alley to our driveway was the result.

The parties did not take care when adding so much height to the top edge of a downward slope. The driveway was slightly sunken below the alley interface. This was known to the Alley Committee. Our driveway was disabled by the raising of the alley surface height.

The Alley Committee and the Contractor served up the drainage excuse for the disabling condition. Yet the neighbor next door,has a sloping driveway with a minimal berm.

The Contractor erroneously stated that the berm was there previously. It wasn't. It was a last minute change of project plans by the Contractor's foreman. The Engineer blames the berm for the damage.

A berm for drainage would serve as a short buffer above the alley surface which prevents water from flowing from the alley into driveways. The alley was originallly built with a pitch down towards the drain.

A berm for drainage was built on top of the elevated alley.

The result: A hazardous drop-down.

Arrows show relative placement.
Red = Drop-Down to driveway below.
Blue = Berm - raised above the alley surface level.
Black = Alley Surface Level - below the berm.


It was roadway pitch - not 'berm' - which was in the project specifications, and mentioned in discussions prior to the project.

Project Specifications
Roadway Pitch

Link


A well-planned alley with berm would not impede cars from parking in driveways, nor be a fall hazard.

Although there was no mention of a berm prior to the Project, if it were a sensible berm we would not have a problem.

alleydefect@hotmail.com