Fixing Sidewalks, Saving Trees ($100,000)

Location: To be determined based on need and impact.

Cost: $100,000

Committee: Transportation, Streets, and Sidewalks

Short Description: Use flexible pavement or other necessary interventions to improve uneven or damaged sidewalks near trees. Improvements will give tree roots room to grow while making sidewalks safe and accessible for everyone.

Long Description: Many sidewalks in our city have become uneven or broken because tree roots push up the concrete or loosen brick paving. This creates serious tripping hazards and makes it hard for people using wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, or mobility devices to travel safely. In some areas, raised bricks or lifted slabs force people into the street or bike lane, which is unsafe for everyone.

This project will repair these problem areas by replacing damaged concrete or brick with interventions like Flexi-Pave, a flexible, rubber-based paving material made from recycled tires and stone. Flexi-Pave bends instead of cracking when tree roots grow, which means it stays smooth and level much longer than traditional concrete. It also lets water pass through, which helps trees, reduces puddles, and can lessen stormwater runoff.

In places where trees need more room for their roots, the project may include curb bump-outs. These bump-outs protect the tree, slow down traffic, and create extra sidewalk space—making it less likely that roots will damage the walkway again in the future. This approach allows us to keep healthy trees while improving sidewalk safety. 

An example of flexible pavement being used on a sidewalk in Cambridge