Demolish the Crumbling Front Step

As you can see, our concrete front step has seen better days. In the swamp-cum-residential neighbourhood we live in, the shifting soil wreaks havoc on all things foundational. Though the damage to the front step is unsightly, given the urgency of repairs to other areas of the Handyman's Dream (such as the state of the basement) the front step took a back seat. Or would have. If it weren't for Canada Post, or, more specifically, our letter carrier. You see, the letter carrier left an offical note in our mailbox last fall, stating that unless the step was repaired immediately, mail delivery service to our address would cease because of the dangerous steps. Now, I will admit - it is not safe to walk up the right hand side of the steps. Those three feet are hazardous. However, located immediately to the left of the 3 hazardous feet is 5 feet of hazard-free step. I have clarified this below:

The compromise reached with the mail carrier's supervisor was that he would walk on our lawn and reach up to the mailbox, avoiding the step. See below:

So, the supplies are purchased, and the front step has been removed:
I have to wonder what the mail carrier thinks of the pit of rubble he has to reach over to deposit mail in our mailbox. I expect another letter any day now...

Knowing that our mail service may cease at any moment, I went to our local Windsor Plywood after work the other day to buy the supplies needed for the new step. I got treated lumber for the joists and Rhino Decking for the surface of the front step. It is made from recycled pop bottles, and never needs to be painted or stained. We also decided that instead of building another 8' wide and 3' deep step, we will build one that goes out 5'. Our front entryway is small, so this will be one way to create a bit more space. Now, to find the time to build it...