NewUrbanStreets

You need to seriously consider the type of traffic the concrete unit pavers in crosswalks must support. Keep in mind that in many urban streeets the right-side curb lane is used by buses and face a much greater range and frequency of heavy loads than do the other lanes. In addition, I believe, the crosswalk on the approach side of the intersection experiences a greater load from the buses–and to some extent cars–because when the signal changes to green the vehicles are accelerating harder as they cross over those pavers than when they cross the paver crosswalk on the other side of the intersection. (more…)

Maintenance cost of pavers–concrete unit pavers and clay brick pavers–is directly related to the installation methodology in two ways. First is the support system below the pavers and second is the gaps between the pavers particularly when cutting them to fit around water meters, street light foundations, parking meters, etc.

In downtown Houston we have installed pavers on cement stabilized sand (c-sand) and on concrete sub-slabs. As you would expect the sub-slab installations present fewer maintenance challenges. A c-sand installation’s value is directly related to the sub-grade preparation as the C-sand will not span soft spots like a concrete slab. Do not let anyone tell you it is only a lower strength concrete as there are many differences that begins with there being no reinforcing steel in c-sand. (more…)