Georgia’s First Residential Rubber Modified Asphalt Project

Net-zero partnership diverts nearly 1,300 scrap tires from landfills

Biophilic community developer Serenbe, in collaboration with The Ray, Baldwin Paving and Liberty Tire, announced a first of its kind construction paving project using Liberty Tire’s SmartMIX™ to pave Serenbe’s newest neighborhood, Overlook. By using SmartMIX™, this paving project diverted nearly 1,300 tires from Georgia’s landfills. The project sets new benchmarks for environmentally sustainable roadways, exemplifying the commitment of Serenbe and The Ray to resilient, innovative and community-focused infrastructure, the companies said.

“Serenbe  integrates nature and regenerative practices that showcase sustainable living,” said Steve Nygren, founder of Serenbe, a biophilic community connected to nature on the edge of Atlanta. “By demonstrating the benefits of rubber-modified asphalt, this partnership inspires other communities, state agencies and local governments to explore environmentally safe initiatives that contribute to a more sustainable future,” Nygren said.

“By integrating the latest rubber-modified asphalt technology, The Ray and Serenbe aim to establish long-lasting roadways that minimize environmental impact and enhance community safety,” said Allie Kelly, Executive Director of The Ray.

Modifying asphalt with recycled tire rubber produces a high-performing, durable pavement that has double the lifespan of conventional asphalt and enhanced resistance to cracking, which can equate to a 30-50 percent reduction in life cycle cost.

The inclusion of recycled rubber particles enhances road safety by improving skid resistance, particularly in wet conditions, while also reducing noise pollution.

The partnership between The Ray, Serenbe, and Liberty Tire showcases their collective effort to create a healthier, more resilient future, where various areas of expertise align to minimize environmental impact and maximize sustainable innovation.
Liberty Tire’s SmartMIX™ technology is typically used in overlays on traditional asphalt roads. The new road construction at Overlook utilizes recycled rubber in the first paving and incorporates recycled tires exclusively from Georgia. Subsequently, the material is fully recyclable into new asphalt mixes when the time comes to replace the surfaces

“At Liberty Tire, we believe in paving the way for a greener future, one road at a time. Our unique use of rubber modified asphalt at Serenbe demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and innovation and together with The Ray, Serenbe and Baldwin Paving exemplifies our shared vision of creating a sustainable community where innovation and conservation go hand in hand,” Doug Carlson, Vice President Asphalt Products at Liberty Tire, said.

The Ray previously partnered with Troup County in 2017 to pave two miles of new industrial park roadway using 39,360 pounds of rubber from scrap tires.

In 2019, the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration funded paving a four lane-mile section of The Ray Highway and the entire parking lot of the Georgia Visitor Information Center in West Point, using approximately 42,240 pounds of rubber from scrap tires.

© Scrap Tire News, December 2023