ADA Flatwork in Middle Tennessee: A GC & EC Guide to Sidewalk, Curb Ramp, and Site Concrete That Passes Inspection

ADA flatwork is one of those scopes that looks simple on paper and turns into a schedule-killer in the field.

For commercial general contractors (GCs), it’s a high-visibility, high-liability item that can block CO. For electrical contractors (ECs), it’s often tied to site lighting, pull boxes, transformer pads, and final access—meaning a failed slope or rework can delay your closeout too.

This post is a practical playbook for building sidewalks, curb ramps, and site flatwork that passes inspection the first time—especially in the real-world conditions we see across Middle Tennessee (including Lebanon, TN).

Halemeyer Group supports commercial projects with site concrete, excavation, trenching for utility lines, and light pole bases. Here’s how we help teams avoid the most common ADA flatwork failures.

Why ADA Flatwork Fails (And Why It’s Usually Preventable)

Most ADA issues aren’t caused by “bad concrete.” They’re caused by layout, grading, and sequencing problems:

• Subgrade wasn’t set to the right elevations before forms went in

• Crews poured to “what’s there” instead of finished grade

• Transitions at doors, curbs, and pavement weren’t coordinated

• Utility features (pull boxes, handholes, light poles) were set without slope coordination

• Drainage was prioritized without a plan for accessible routes

The result is rework that’s expensive because it happens late—often when striping, landscaping, and final inspections are already in motion.

The “System” View: ADA Flatwork Is Not a Standalone Scope

To get ADA right, you have to treat it as an integrated system:

• Building finish floor elevations (FFE)

• Door thresholds and landings

• Site grading and drainage

• Curb lines and paving elevations

• Accessible parking and striping

• Utility appurtenances (pull boxes, handholes, bases)

• Sidewalk cross slopes and running slopes

• Curb ramps and detectable warnings

If any one of these is “TBD,” ADA flatwork becomes guesswork.

Preconstruction: What the GC Should Lock Before Concrete Mobilizes

1) Confirm who owns ADA compliance

This sounds obvious, but it’s where projects get burned.

• Who is verifying slopes and transitions in the field?

• Who is checking curb ramp details against the plans?

• Who is documenting as-built slopes for closeout?

GC takeaway: Assign an owner for ADA verification before the first form is set.

2) Confirm the accessible route (end-to-end)

Don’t just check one curb ramp. Confirm the full path:

• Accessible parking → curb ramp → sidewalk → building entry

• Any crossings of drive aisles

• Any transitions at doors, mats, and landings

3) Coordinate with paving and striping early

ADA flatwork and paving are married. Common failure points:

• Sidewalk poured before final paving lifts are confirmed

• Curb ramp poured without matching the final gutter line

• Striping contractor flags issues after everything is “done”

4) Identify “risk zones” on the drawings

Flag these areas for extra attention:

• Around building entries

• At accessible parking stalls

• At drive aisle crossings

• Where drainage forces slope changes

• Where utilities cluster (handholes, pull boxes, light poles)

Field Layout: The Fastest Way to Prevent ADA Rework

ADA success is mostly layout discipline.

Best practices

• Establish a benchmark and control lines that everyone uses

• Stake top-of-walk and back-of-curb elevations clearly

• Mark flow lines and drainage intent (where water should go)

• Do a joint walk: GC + concrete lead + grading lead + (when relevant) EC lead

Common layout mistakes

• Forms set off “existing grade” without verifying finish elevations

• No elevation callouts at transitions (door landings, curb returns)

• Curb ramps placed where they “fit,” not where the accessible route requires

Slopes and Transitions: Where Inspections Get Won or Lost

ADA inspections often come down to a few inches of elevation over a few feet of distance.

Running slope vs cross slope (practical framing)

• Running slope: along the direction of travel

• Cross slope: side-to-side slope across the walking surface

Even when the concrete is placed cleanly, the route can fail if:

• The sidewalk is forced to “twist” to meet two different elevations

• The curb ramp doesn’t match the gutter line

• The landing at a door isn’t flat enough

The “twist” problem

One of the most common issues is a sidewalk panel that has acceptable slope in one direction, but becomes noncompliant because it’s trying to meet:

• A high curb on one end, and

• A low pavement elevation on the other

GC takeaway: If you see a twist coming, stop and re-grade before you pour.

Curb Ramps: Details That Commonly Fail

Curb ramps are high scrutiny because they’re the gateway from parking to the building.

Common failure drivers:

• Ramp placed too steep because curb height wasn’t coordinated

• Flare transitions that create awkward cross slopes

• Detectable warnings installed crooked, too high, or in the wrong location

• Ramp doesn’t align with the accessible route (forces users into traffic)

Field process that helps

• Verify curb height and gutter line before forming the ramp

• Dry-fit detectable warning placement (or at least mark it)

• Check alignment from the accessible stall to the building entry

Concrete Placement and Finishing: Don’t Create a Slip Hazard

ADA flatwork isn’t just about slope—it’s also about safe, consistent walking surfaces.

Finishing considerations

• Use the specified finish (often broom finish for exterior walks)

• Keep texture consistent across panels

• Avoid over-finishing edges that become slick

• Protect fresh flatwork from jobsite traffic that can gouge or deform the surface

Jointing and control

• Plan joints so they don’t create awkward “lips” at transitions

• Avoid joint layouts that force small slivers near ramps/returns

• Protect edges at ramps and landings from early damage

EC Coordination: Pull Boxes, Handholes, and Light Pole Bases Can Break ADA

Electrical scope can unintentionally create ADA problems when appurtenances land in the accessible route.

Common EC-related ADA issues

• Pull box/handhole set proud of the sidewalk

• Lid settles later due to poor compaction

• Light pole base or bollard forces a sidewalk pinch point

• Conduit stubs create bumps or patch areas

EC best practices

• Coordinate box locations with the accessible route early

• Set elevations with the same benchmark used for flatwork

• Ensure backfill and compaction around boxes is done correctly

• Protect lids and frames during concrete placement and finishing

EC takeaway: Treat handholes/pull boxes like “finish elements,” not rough-in items.

Subgrade and Compaction: The Settlement That Shows Up After You “Passed”

Even if slopes are perfect on inspection day, settlement can create future trip hazards.

High-risk areas:

• Around utility trenches

• At curb returns

• Near building entries where traffic concentrates

Best practices:

• Compact in lifts (especially around boxes and trench crossings)

• Use appropriate backfill material (not just spoils)

• Keep water content workable (too wet = pumping; too dry = poor compaction)

Sequencing: When to Pour ADA Flatwork (So You Don’t Re-Do It)

A common reason ADA flatwork gets torn out is poor sequencing.

Practical sequencing guidance

• Confirm final curb lines and paving elevations before pouring ramps

• Avoid pouring sidewalks that depend on final grading that isn’t done

• Coordinate with landscaping so roots/irrigation don’t undermine panels

• Coordinate with EC so boxes/bases are set and stable before flatwork

GC takeaway: If the site is still moving, the sidewalk shouldn’t be “final.”

A One-Page ADA Flatwork Checklist

• Confirm ADA owner (who verifies slopes and transitions)

• Confirm accessible route end-to-end (parking → entry)

• Verify benchmarks and finish elevations (FFE, curb, paving)

• Stake top-of-walk and back-of-curb elevations

• Identify risk zones (entries, ramps, crossings, utility clusters)

• Coordinate curb ramps with gutter line and striping intent

• Coordinate EC boxes/handholes/bases with route and elevations

• Verify subgrade and compaction (especially at trenches)

• Pour with consistent exterior finish; protect from traffic

• Document as-built slopes at critical points for closeout

How Halemeyer Group Helps GCs and ECs Get ADA Flatwork Right

We help teams reduce ADA rework by:

• Coordinating layout and elevations before forming

• Executing site concrete with a safety-first, detail-driven approach

• Supporting trenching and utility coordination so settlement risk is minimized

• Communicating early when grading or sequencing will create slope conflicts

If you’re building commercial projects in Lebanon, TN or across Middle Tennessee and want a partner who understands how site concrete and utility work affect ADA compliance, we’re ready to help.

Conclusion: Make ADA Flatwork Predictable, Not Stressful

ADA flatwork failures are rarely “mysteries.” They’re almost always the result of unclear elevations, rushed sequencing, or missed coordination between paving, grading, and utilities.

With a simple field process—benchmarks, staking, risk-zone checks, and trade coordination—you can pass inspection the first time and protect your schedule.

Need help with site concrete, curb ramps, or utility trenching coordination in Middle Tennessee? Reach out to Halemeyer Group and we’ll align on a plan that prevents rework and keeps closeout moving.

Halemeyer Group LLC is a commercial concrete and construction specialist serving Middle Tennessee. We partner with general contractors and electrical contractors on foundations, slabs, site work, light pole bases, and trenching—delivering safety-first practices, innovative techniques, and unwavering quality.