Recycled tires could help smooth the ride on streets in the Springtime Estates, Shasta Park, and Mayors Park neighborhoods.

The city has submitted a $350,000 grant request for the CalRecycle Pavement Application Program for the use of asphaltic rubberized hot-mix that is composed of 20 percent recycled tires that have been crushed and diced to repave the neighborhood streets.

But before that grant application can be considered the city must adopt a policy to make a good faith effort to incorporate environmental and social responsibility goals when purchasing products and service from manufacturers and vendors.

The council will consider adopting such as policy when they meet tonight at 7’oclock at the Civic Center, 1001 W. Center St.

The city has applied rubberized pavement surfacing in the past on city streets.

The first streets to go with the rubber chip seal mixture was in 2008. They were a half mile section of Cottage between Yosemite Avenue and the Highway 99 overcrossing, about a half mile of Center Street between the Union Pacific Railroad crossing and Union Road, as well as Industrial Park Drive between Bessemer and Main Street.

Then in 2010 portions of Union Road, Alameda Street, North Street, Mission Ridge Drive, Wawona Street, Winters Drive, Hoyt Lane, Northgate Drive and Button Avenue were surfaced with the mixture

The use of the mixture of recycled tires and has a life just as long – if not longer – than asphalt. It also costs less if the city secures the grant for the use of tires in the resurfacing material.

Studies have shown the 20 percent tire rubber mixture combined with liquid asphalt also is reducing vehicle noise by as much as four decibels. Research cited by the Arizona Department of Transportation shows reduction in noise levels of 50 to 75% is commonly attained. 

Arizona transportation officials have also noted that the rubber overlay is more durable and skid-resistant than conventional asphalt plus provides a smoother ride. 

Tires used in the process have their casings, fabric and steel taken apart and the rubber is ground to the consistency of ground coffee.  

A one-inch rubberized asphalt concrete (RAC) chip seal uses about 1,500 tires per lane mile of paving.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com