Chicago test sidewalks made of recycled tires

CHICAGO -- Rubber tires that once hit the road are now part of the road on Chicago's West Side as part of two environmentally friendly pilot programs.

Under one program unveiled last week, city officials replaced 550 feet of concrete sidewalk with panels made from recycled rubber tires. Officials say they want to see how the material withstands Chicago's weather extremes and heavy foot traffic.

The rubber sidewalk costs two to three times more than concrete but is made of 100 percent recycled tires, doesn't crack and shift the way concrete does and can be easily repaired and removed, officials said.

Rubbersidewalks Inc., a California company, makes the 2-by-21/2 foot tiles. If the pilot program is successful, tire recycling could be brought to Chicago, said Cheri Heramb, acting commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation.

The first rubber sidewalk is in the Garfield Park neighborhood, near the Chicago Center for Green Technology.

Officials also rolled out the first solar-powered bus shelter last week. Officials plan to erect 100 of the shelters in 2007, Heramb said. The structures will be powered by solar panels placed on their tops and will save about $200 per year per shelter in electrical costs, she said.