Ford Sponsored Asphalt-Rubber Project in New Mexico Draws Praise
Drivers, nearby residents noticing difference on stretch of US 60.

Keeping their promise to use millions of "retired" tires taken back by Ford Motor Company last year, the automotive giant presented a check for $200,000 to the New Mexico Highway and Transportation Department for a 56 mile, four lane, Asphalt-Rubber pavement on US 54. The project is between Alamogordo and El Paso, Texas. Pete Rahn, Secretary of Transportation said, "I am pleased Ford chose New Mexico for their donation to demonstrate the benefits of rubberized asphalt.that will provide New Mexicans with 170 new lane miles that will last longer and ride quieter than roads paved in the conventional manner." Rahn continued, "By using the Ford 'retired' tires in New Mexico, we have presented about 1.5 million pounds or 100,000 tires from going into the landfills. We will also save money down the road because of expected longer road life."
Andy Acho, Worldwide Director of Environmental Outreach and Strategy for Ford Motor Company said, "Ford Motor Company wants to be a catalyst in increasing the demand for the environmentally responsible use of 'retired' tires."
Byron Lord, Deputy Director of the FHWA Office of Pavement Technology, who was responsible for assisting Ford in putting together a national partnership to deal with the "retired" tires said, "We congratulate Ford Motor Company on their leadership in promoting the environmentally friendly use of scrap tires. We believe this project is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the re-use of scrap tires generated annually in the United States."
RPA, which is part of the partnership, along with the FHWA, NAPA, AASHTO and others, said two member companies, FNF Construction, Inc. and Recovery Technologies, Group (RTG) were involved in the New Mexico project. FNF was supplied the Asphalt-Rubber binder and RTG processed the crumb rubber of the Ford tires.
The Ford check was presented to NM Highway Department at a US 54 ribbon cutting ceremony in Ruidoso, New Mexico on July 18. The letter reproduced on this page was received by Ford
following completion on the
paving project.

 

Dear Mr. Andrew Acho, I want to thank you and Ford Motor Co. for your generosity in giving us the rubber chipping for our Highway 54 from Alamogordo to El Paso. What a wonderful road that has turned out to be. It is so smooth and quiet and I could almost say soft. One would be hard pressed to find another road in this state that even comes close to Hwy. 54's comfort. It is such a blessing to me because I have a bad back and [I'm] also skin and bones so every little bit of padding helps and riding on 54 compared to others is like day compared to night for me. Also I appreciate so much that there is such a practical use for old tires. It seems like they just collect and no one really knows what to do with them. Anyway for what its worth I thank you from the bottom of my heart and hope that enough others will like these kinds of roads so much that they'll spring up all over. Sincerely, Patricia Johnson