Rubber Hits the Sidewalk

By AY

This year Washington, DC installed about 4,000 square feet of rubber sidewalk, at a cost of $60,000. The investment may have saved 35 half century-old trees (valued at $40 to $50, 000 each), according to John Deatrick, the districts chief engineer. Spokesman for the district adds that in 2005, the district spent $7 million to repair concrete sidewalks.

Supporters of rubber sidewalks say they are better than concrete sidewalks. They last longer since freezing weather and tree roots won’t crack them. Still others say they are also better than concrete sidewalks because the surface is better for joggers. Others say rubber sidewalks are more environmentally friendly.

A study in Ohio concluded that it is better to recycle tires by making them into sidewalks rather than just throwing them away. They also don’t compress tree roots the way concrete does. When trees grow they sometimes pull up the sidewalks, so with rubber sidewalks it is a compromise between having safe sidewalks and healthy and beautiful trees.

When walking on rubber sidewalks, there is no bounce says Anne Gargan. She enjoys the rubber sidewalk in front of her home. “They’re pleasant to walk on. They rise and fall with the trees.” Richard Valeriano first conceived the idea of rubber sidewalks. He said he had a dream which led to action in 1998.

Sources:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/12/tech/main1796714.shtml

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0712/p01s03-usgn.html?s=u

Return to Home Page