Agree w/ the OP. I live on the corner of Reed St. and Reed St. Ct. and the drainage has gone from bad to worse after the recent repaving. The gradient needs to be corrected so that the water doesn't pool in one spot.

Public Works - TS (Streets & Sewers) assigned this issue to Public Works - PA (Inspections)

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ESG has looked at this multiple times and claims that this is due to existing road conditions. ESG just milled 2” of asphalt and layed 2” new asphalt.
This is are could possibly need a new CB

This is not due to existing conditions. Prior to resurfacing there was minimal water accumulation across the sidewalk during rain. After resurfacing significant water accumulates, blocking the sidewalk, and if it freezes after a rain, this leads to a large sheet of ice. This did not occur prior to resurfacing.

ESG is incorrectly stating the work that was done. Asphalt was milled, and new asphalt was laid down. However, more asphalt was laid down than was milled. The pavement level is significantly higher than the previous pavement before resurfacing. This is causing the issue, as it blocks water from flowing into the drains on Reed Street Court

The higher pavement level is evident in a few spots: 1) The manhole cover used to be flush with the pavement, now it is below the level of the pavement and water pools there. 2) The concrete walkway for 1-2 Reed street court used to be 1-2 inches above the level of the pavement of the court, now the pavement is flush with the walkway. 3) The brick walk way on the right side of 1-2 Reed Street Ct used to be flush with the pavement, now the pavement is 1-2 inches above the brick causing water to pool there during rain. 4) The drainage grates used to be flush with the pavement, now they are below the level of the pavement. 5) Other fixtures such as the water and gas shutoffs were flush with the pavement, and are now recessed.

Attached is a photo that shows the previous state, with a flush manhole cover and drainage grate circled. Inspection of the current state will show the pavement levels are considerably higher.

This has been an ongoing problem in one form or another for MANY years and the City has yet to resolve it. The most recent repaving was done by a utility company who made everything look nice but obviously didn't use engineers to ensure that the hardtop was graded properly. The fact that there aren't more complaints about this are likely due to the frustration and the feeling that the City is ignoring the issue like it does with so may things related to North Cambridge. I heard one neighbor say that we're ignored because our property taxes are lower here than other parts of Cambridge. I pray that this isn't true.

I write to confirm the above reply from Thomas Carlile re the inaccuracy of the ESG report. I'm including an additional photo of the before to clearly show the higher pavement level post-resurfacing, and demonstrate that this is not due to pre-existing conditions. You'll see that the brick outside 66 reed used to be flush with the pavement, which is now 1-2" above the brick. You'll also see other fixtures used to be flush and are now recessed. It is important to underscore that this new and extensive water / ice accumulation is a safety hazard. Additionally, especially for older adult residents of Reed St Court, the accumulation renders the court impassable.

Thank you for reporting your concern to City of Cambridge via SeeClickFix. We have reviewed the information you provided our staff and will be investigating this issue further.
*Will meet onsite with ESG supervisor restoration

Thank you for reporting your concern to City of Cambridge via SeeClickFix. We have reviewed the information you provided our staff and will be investigating this issue further.