This week the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved (12-0) a $1.5 million sustainable sidewalk repair pilot program. The program is anticipated to be rolled out at select City facilities this summer. The goal of the program is to begin incorporating alternative, environmentally sustainable products in the City’s long-term effort to repair and maintain our broken sidewalks. The program will assess the installation and lifecycle costs, maintenance requirements, and the durability of the materials used – including, porous and permeable interlocking pavers, post-consumer plastics and materials made from recycled rubber tires, amongst others.
The findings from the pilot program, detailing the performance of the alternative materials, will be brought back to Council on a yearly basis for further evaluation.
“For nearly four decades, the City has been stuck with a broken policy for sidewalk repairs,” said Councilmember Ryu. “There have been attempts to find solutions, but no consistent or comprehensive plan. This pilot program complements the City’s larger effort to fix and maintain nearly 5,000 miles of sidewalks that need to be repaired. And it ensures that our environment, the health of our children and neighborhoods, remain at the forefront of this effort as it moves forward. This will enhance both the infrastructure of our City and the quality of life for future generations.”
In March 2016, Councilmember Ryu introduced legislation to study the feasibility of using alternative and recycled materials to repair broken sidewalks. Read Councilmember Ryu’s motion, here.
