Pittsfield Township Tries Out Tire-Mixed Asphalt in Michigan Road Project

Workers in Washtenaw County have paved a section of Ellsworth Road with a mix of asphalt and shredded tires. This marks the first test of this mix in the county. The project turned over 7,000 old tires into road surface between Platt and Carpenter Roads.

The test splits into two sections. One half uses standard pavement, while the other contains the tire blend. With around 20,000 vehicles crossing daily, the road provides ideal conditions to check how well this new mix performs.

"For this special asphalt material . . . we included quite some tire rubber coming from waste tires or scrap tires. So, roughly, we use about 10% of the equivalent asphalt liquid," said Dr. Zhanping You, according to WEMU.

Michigan faces a growing tire disposal challenge. Each year, more than 10 million tires need disposal. Most end up filling landfills or get dumped on the side of roads, which creates fire risks and breeds mosquitoes.

Studies show this new mix cuts traffic sounds by two to four decibels. The surface also fights off winter damage better than typical roads do. When ice forms and melts, the rubber helps stop cracks from spreading.

Roads in Bay County built with this mix have stayed crack-free through three winters. Standard roads often start breaking after just one cold season, according to findings from Michigan Technological University.

State environmental officials provided grant money for the work. Though costs run higher at first, the longer life of these roads should save money over time.

Scientists at Michigan Tech's Transportation Institute will track the road's condition for at least 12 months. Dr. You plans to study the effects across a decade to measure lasting benefits.

This test fits into Governor Whitmer's road improvement plans. Results from this stretch of road could change how Michigan builds its highways going forward.