Bellevue Investing in Rubber Sidewalks

"Bellevue from the North" by Alan Cordova, a Seattlest Flickr Contributor

Our neighbors across the lake, have come up with a unique way to deal with tree root systems buckling sidewalks and city streets. Starting Thursday, The City of Bellevue will begin installing rubber sidewalks in areas where tree roots have destroyed traditional concrete walkways. The first rubber sidewalks will be installed along a half block stretch of Bellevue's NE 10th St., just north of 102nd Ave. NE. The street's concrete has been damaged by American Sweet Gum trees, which have lined the road for the past decade.

The rubber sidewalks, known as "rubber pavers," are made from worn-out tires. The theory behind using rubber pavers around difficult root structures is that the flexibility of the rubber can accommodate some root growth, while not damaging the surface of the pavement. This would hopefully lead to fewer embarrassing spills on the streets of Bellevue and moderate decreases in skinned knees. The city is also quick to point out to all Seattleites who would likely tease Bellevue about this decision--we've been trying to figure out a way to do that this entire post--that Seattle has also installed some of the rubber sidewalks, and they didn't make fun of us.