What’s Up With the New Rice Krispy-like Sidewalks in Lakewood?

The following is an ‘Ask The Mayor’ question submitted to TLS, and the Mayor’s response. Email your questions for the Mayor to [email protected].

Question:

Dear Mayor Coles,

We are so excited and grateful for the new sidewalks installed (with great effort) on Lanes Mill in the Raintree area!

However, we are bewildered and concerned that the sidewalks, while carefully and laboriously prepared (excessive brush removed, area flattened and firmed, curbs dug and poured, corners re-dug and re-poured, etc), seem to be made out of porous “Rice Krispies Treat” concrete. While a quick google search tells us of the ecological benefits of porous concrete, we are concerned that the tremendous work invested in this project may go to waste.

1. The porous sidewalk seems to already be crumbling underfoot, less than two weeks after installation. It is unpleasant to walk or ride on and gravel is constantly crumbling off everywhere.

2. How will this material withstand winter ice (freeze/thaw) and sprayed salt? The new (traditional) sidewalk in front of the abandoned construction area between Malibu and Barrymor already seems to have minor damage from winter salt spray – doesn’t porous concrete suffer even more from this issue?

3. While a tremendous amount of brush was carefully cleared for this project, the resulting dirt piles remain as they were left, without soil being redistributed evenly or packed tightly around the new sidewalk. How does the city plan to combat erosion, especially with the more delicate material of porous vs traditional concrete?

How can we make sure all the hard work invested in it does not get wasted, and that they last (both in construction and in regard to erosion?)

Thank you for taking the time to consider our concerns!!

Response from Mayor Coles:

Good afternoon

I didn’t realize we were using porous concrete for sidewalks until I watched the project along Ridge earlier this year.

The bottom line is that the state mandated the use of this type of concrete wherever possible.

In DEP Speak, there has been a push for greener infrastructure/eco-friendly solutions in NJ to help keep the environment clean. Therefore, the state’s storm rules changed. NJAC 7:8, DEP requires pervious/pourous walks to act as a filter for nonpoint source pollutants of runoff and act as another type of groundwater recharge.

There are many benefits to using this type of concrete. It helps to eliminate puddles and reduces runoff by allowing water to filter directly into the groundwater supply. It is safer in winter because water seeps through and reduces ice formation. Furthermore, it allows air and water to reach tree roots, preventing sidewalks from lifting, and most importantly, from a health and safety perspective, it filters water before going into the ground of pollutants.

Despite what its appearance may suggest, it can be 2 times more expensive than traditional concrete. While it may not be pretty, its life expectancy is 20-40 years, comparable to standard concrete. Its main drawback is that it is not suitable for heavy vehicle use. That is why you will see standard concrete at driveways, etc. We have been using this concrete in projects for several years, and the results have been positive.

All concrete deteriorates when certain types of rock salt are used. We recommend folks use Calcium Magnesium Acetate when purchasing snow melt; it is the best option.

Finally, the dirt that was disturbed will be restored when the project is complete

Thanks

Ray

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Jls

1 hour ago

Thank you Mayor ,i wasnt the one asking the questionbut your answer gives us a easy understanging and comprehenssion

A G

Dear Mayor,
Much appreciation for your detailed Lakewood NorthEast sidewalk complaint response.
While it’s surprising that the mayor is only finding out about a sidewalks that cost at least double the cost of regular, are there federal subsidies for these expenses?
Additionally, the original post mentioned erosion of newly laid rock cement, what is being done about that?
Additionally if there is real cement curbs blocking the water from flowing what was the whole gain?
Additionally online it states that the porous concrete needs to be vacuumed regularly to unclog the pores, to the tune of 2-4 times a year depending on traffic etc, does the township have a plan for vacuuming and fixing these sidewalks?
And will the township use different kinds of salt to prevent above mentioned erosion, especially since these sidewalks are on primary roads like Ridge and Lanes Mill(s) where many of the sidewalks are behind fences or empty woods?

Thank You!

Avi

57 minutes ago

Pourous concrete tends to break apart very quickly. No matter what the environmentalist say, it doesn’t hold. It’s a waste of taxpayer money and time, as they will have to redo it.

Shalom bruk

25 minutes ago

This is some type of joke right?? They can’t make it look any nicer with the borders like a traditional walkway or something?? This looks like a kid did this job…

Asinine Commenter

13 minutes ago

Kellogg’s Threatens to Sue Lakewood Township For Giving the Company a Bad Name With Newly-Installed Crumbling, Rice Krispy-like Sidewalks
The Kellogg’s Cereal Company is suing Lakewood Township for installing new Rice Krispy-like sidewalks in the Raintree area that do not reflect kindly on the company’s iconic puffed-rice cereal.
“We’ve received hundreds of complaints from loyal Rice Krispy fans who can’t stomach Lakewood’s newly-installed rice krispy-like sidewalks,” said Kellogg’s spokesman, Steve Puffstein. “They love the feeling of the puffed rice, crispy cereal crumbling inside their mouths, but they abhor the feeling of the Rice Krispy-like sidewalks crumbling under their feet!”
“The new Rice Krispy-like sidewalks are giving Rice Krispies a bad name!” Mr. Puffstein asserted. “Please remove the Rice Krispy-like sidewalks promptly, or we’ll see you in a court of law next week – bright and early! Breakfast in the courtroom building is on us, courtesy of our puffed rice and toasted corn departments.”