A concrete suggestion for speeding up the installation of curbs
ROBERT THOMSON
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, January 27, 2011; T18
Dear Dr. Gridlock:
Having just watched the District install curbs on Massachusetts Avenue, I was wondering whether you know how much more it costs to install granite curbs rather than simply pour concrete ones.
My anecdotal observation is that granite curbs take longer to install than concrete, thus prolonging the traffic disruption. They have to cost more than concrete. (Have you priced kitchen countertops?) And after a few seasons, they are indistinguishable from concrete.
Carlos Bonilla, the District
DG: When you see streetscaping projects underway across the Washington region, you're often going to see granite curbing being used. Traffic engineers say granite curbing is likely to be much more expensive to buy and install than concrete. The granite must be brought in from a quarry and cut into the proper segments for the curb. Concrete can be delivered faster and is easier to work with. A road crew will probably move faster using it. But granite looks better, to the point of looking like a frill to some passersby. Many communities see it as a neighborhood enhancement. And it will last a lot longer than the concrete, which might have to be repaired after a few years as it suffers the effects of weather and starts to deteriorate. Granite is likely to retain its appearance and require less care until the time comes to replace it. Granite also can be recycled, transportation planners say. Concrete will be broken up and disposed of.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/25/AR2011012504442.html
