by KENNETH FRY, Press Argus-Courier Editor Wednesday, August 8, 2007 9:59 AM CDT
Recycled rubber is being used in one of the sidewalk projects under taken by the City of Van Buren.
Instead of concrete, 400 square feet of Rubbersidewalks is being used in the 1300 block of Poplar Street, according to Lindsay Smith, CEO of Rubbersidewalks Inc.
Smith said residents will be able to enjoy a stroll under the trees without tripping over cracked and buckled pavement.
"A decades-long battle has been waged between concrete sidewalks and tree roots with people the ultimate losers," Smith said. "As tree roots mature and spread, they raise the concrete, creating trip and fall hazards as well as a costly maintenance issue. Van Buren has taken a major step with this cost-effective paving alternative that also makes their sidewalks safer."
The project also will recycle 4,000 pounds of rubber from more than 400 used passenger vehicle tires that would other clog area landfills.
Rubbersidewalks were first installed in Santa Monica, Calif., in 1998. Van Buren joins more than 90 cities within the United States installing Rubbersidewalks.
Smith said a five-year study has proven that Rubbersidewalks are durable and long-lasting. They also are lighter, more flexible than concrete and easy to maintain. Sections can be removed and replaced, rather than having to tear up an entire section of sidewalk which is expensive.
In May, city aldermen accepted a $62,000 bid from Wilson Brothers for a sidewalk project requested by the Van Buren School District. Sidewalks will be constructed on Poplar Street between Butterfield Junior High School and King Elementary School and along Arkansas 59 from the top of Log Town Hill to City Heights Elementary School.
The sidewalk project will be complete before school starts Aug. 20.
