Boston Sidewalks May Go Rubber

The Boston City Council is considering an initiative that would require all new sidewalks in the city to be rubberized, using tiles of recycled tires as the city’s walkways. Concrete cracking from tree root growth could become a thing of the past.

A slowly growing number of cities across the country are implementing rubber sidewalks, a new infrastructure technology that uses recycled rubber tires to create tile-like slabs of walking surface. Proponents of an initiative coming to the Boston City Council argue that the rubber sidewalks will be more forgiving to tree roots than the traditional and crack-prone concrete. Though less maintenance would be required, the cost of rubber sidewalks can be up to 30% more than concrete.

"Supporters say tree roots would get a break, snow removal would be easier, runners would be less prone to injuries, and those confined to wheelchairs would have smoother rides. Even repairs would mean benefits because noisy jackhammers wouldn’t be needed."

Full Story: http://www.planetizen.com/node/21232