Can't get out in/out of driveway...
 

I didn't know where else to ask this question besides this forum. It seems like there are a lot of educated people here that may be able to provide me with an answer. I am trying to help my parents, and here is the problem...

The city my parents live in recently reconstructed the road that lies in front of the entrance to their driveway. I can no longer get my Z in their driveway. They have a truck and trailer for hauling motorcycles, and it can no longer get in/out of the driveway. These are the two most important issues among others with the entrance to the driveway. My parents warned the team working on the street early in the project that there would be issues if they continued to continue with the project as planned (ie. lowered the curb and thus the road resulting in a greater incline into the driveway).

Does anyone know where to find codes that the city has to abide by when constructing in the city especially in areas that may impede a person's way of life (ie. sports cars that can't get into the driveway, trailers that can't get out, etc.)? Would this info be at the courthouse if anywhere at all? Is this something that hiring a lawyer could be a benefit? The city seems to be uncooperative thus far.

Any help in the matter would be appreciated. Thank you.

best consult w/a lawyer, the first visit is free according to commercials

My first step would be calling your local "roads and bridges" department (county or city). If you can't find that, your local police/sheriff non-emergency line can give you that info.

There's also a "code enforcement" department in my county that may be of help if you have something equivalent.

Both of those tips are from my better half, who works in law enforcement.


My 2nd step would definitely be a lawyer.

or just buy some cement and level the sucker out. But only after the other ways dont result in anything.

would this work?

Driveway Curb Bridge - Garage Accessories - In Your Garage - Griot's Garage

That looks like an awesome product. Heavy enough to deter thieves and looks like it solves any issues with clearance! Good find!

Contact your municipality or county - same place that takes care of building permits, etc. If they don't take care of that they'll be able to point you in the right direction. Is your driveway really narrow? You should be able to get into some crazy sloped driveways by coming in at a sharp angle. I've had lower cars before that I've taken into very steep driveways without dragging but a single car width reduces the angle you can come in on. The trailer is going to be a lot tougher....

Here's a test.....:icon17:

http://www.fugly.com/media/IMAGES/WT..._Driveways.jpg

Thanks for all of the info! I will definitely check out some of that stuff. Pulling my car into the driveway at an angle actually results in the one rear wheel being lifted off the ground a little because of the rigidity of the car. Pulling the trailer out results in the area around the hitch bottoming out and hitting. It is a narrower driveway also. I don't think that product mentioned earlier will work because it is a steeper, longer sort of incline into the driveway.
Thanks again.

Solution, pour cement in that area between the sidewalk and the street...

That's gotta be a photoshopped pic.

Not really, my uncle use to live in a house exactly like those. They were steep like that cause he live next to the lake so they did that so it wouldn't flood

what city?

only a frickin hummer could get up that driveway.

thats right, there aint no frick in french fries! Love that phrase. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcuAIQyzB2s

Dunno where that pic came from, but there are lots of ridiculous driveways in the Atlanta suburbs...

I would check with the city and talk to the project engineer. Every city has construction standards they are supposed to follow when designing or constructing a new road project. Alot of cities use State department of transportation specifications so you could check into that. If your drive doesn;t meet those slope standards there should have been a design exception and in which case they at the very least they should have talked to your parents about the change. My guess is that someone screwed up designing the new road grade and didn;t match it to the new sidewalk grade correctly or there could have been a staking error and they failed to correct it properly and just "made it work". There are alot of possibilities as to why it didn't turn out like it was before, even moving the sidewalk closer to the road could have effected it. I would go talk to the city and find out who the project engineer is and talk to him about it. That would be the best place to start. Hope this helps you out a bit.